Naveed Ul Haq
Budgam, Dec 04 (KNO): The residents of Kanidajan village of Budgam district Friday alleged that the forest department has axed hundreds of apple trees in the village and its adjacent areas.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Forest department had issued a notice to the people of Kanidajan and other adjacent villages, accusing them of encroaching forest land.
“Forest department has made us helpless. Officials axed hundreds of apple trees and razed some ‘dokas’ to ground in our area,” a local from the Kanidajan area said.
“It is true that we are living in forest area but are residing here for centuries now,” he added. “Wherever shall we go?” the villagers questioned.
An official, however, said that they are retrieving the forest land for which the drive has already been started. Nonetheless, he stated that they are not aware about the incident—(KNO)
