Tirah Valley being denuded of its natural forests

Ali Akhtar Afridi, Special Correspondent

Precious trees are ruthlessly felled. – Photo by Special Correspondent

KHYBER DISTRICT’s Tirah Valley, which is rich in lush green natural forests, is being ruthlessly denuded of its tree cover.

According to residents, natural forests are being cut indiscriminately in the Tirah Valley and at least seven to eight truckloads of precious timber are smuggled from the area to other parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to reliable sources, the influential timber mafia is doing this business openly. This racket is being carried out in the dark of night and on a daily basis, they alleged.

Hillsides in Tirah Valley of Khyber tribal district are stripped of their tree cover. – Ali Akhtar Afridi, Special Correspondent

It should be noted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has spent billions of rupees on the Billion Tree Tsunami afforestation project, while on the other hand natural forests are being cut down indiscriminately in the Tirah Valley under the nose of the forest department and the district administration.

Excessive logging continues unabated. Photo SC

Local dwellers of Tirah Valley have expressed concern over the ruthless cutting of trees and say that the activity will spoil the natural beauty of the valley and denude the hillsides of trees.