PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken cognizance of the illegal felling of trees in Anyarkhal area under Uttarkashi forest division. Taking note of the letter sent by a social activist Suresh Bhai, the ministry has directed the principal chief conservator of forests, Uttarakhand to conduct an immediate investigation and submit a report.
The activist had alleged that in May and June, a large number of trees of rare species standing in the deep forests of Anyarkhal at the altitude of 7,000 feet had been chopped down. It is also learnt that the trees were felled for making sleepers.
Locals say that chopping trees in such an extremely sensitive region in terms of biodiversity would threaten their life by increasing incidence of landslides.
Notably, Raksha Sutra Andolan has remained vociferous against indiscriminate felling of trees to the peril of the fragile Himalayan ecology.
