Hundreds of green trees of various species have been reportedly axed in the forest of Kishanpura panchayat in Nalagarh forest division, bringing the role of the officials concerned under the scanner. The court has imposed a blanket ban on the cutting of trees.

Two days ago, villagers informed forest officials about the axing of a large number of small, half and full-grown green trees of Khair, Kikar and other species in the forest. On Friday, Nalagarh Divisional Forest Officer Anil Joshi visited the forest with Assistant Conservator of Forest RS Jaswal and other officials to ascertain the number of trees that have been felled. Talking to Newsline, he said the counting of trees will be completed by Sunday.

Sources in the Forest Department reveal that during the initial survey of the forest, a large number of trees were found axed. The forest covers about 2,000 bighas of land and is situated along National Highway 21 A, at a distance of approximately eight kilometers from Baddi and Nalagarh. The forest is on shamlat land of some villages including Kishanpura and Chanal Majra.

Sources said the trees were axed in a phased manner. At some places, trunks of the axed trees had been covered with soil and wild grass to conceal the evidence. In certain pockets, young trees had been wholly uprooted.

The wood of Khair is used for manufacturing katha. It is also used in various medicines. The other species of trees are used as fuel and in brick kilns as well.

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