By Wadood Mehsud
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Tribal elders in Upper South Waziristan have called for an immediate stop to illegal tree cutting in the Mardaar Algad (Halaal Algad) area. The demand was made during a press conference at the Mehsud Press Club, where Advocate Ehsanullah Mehsud raised concerns over ongoing deforestation.
He said that reports from the Forest Department confirm that the felled trees belong to community forests and that illegal cutting continues despite official acknowledgment. According to the report, the Asman Manza Brigade personnel are carrying out the tree felling citing security concerns, but no clear response has been provided even after a week.
Ehsanullah Mehsud argued that Asman Manza is located on elevated terrain, so the trees pose no security threat. He added that local residents had already donated 1,000 kanals of land free of cost to the government for establishing a camp to help resolve local issues.
He further alleged that some individuals are obstructing the return of community-owned timber and demanding money in exchange. Mehsud urged the Corps Commander Peshawar to take notice of the matter and ensure justice.
