Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times) : Most senior minister Azad Kashmir government and president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan took notice of the news published in the media regarding illegal encroachments in Bagh Union Council Thab forest with the connivance of Forest Department. On the orders of Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Secretary Forest Chaudhry Imtiaz Ahmed demanded a detailed report from Nazim Forest Poonch and District Forest Officer Junglat Bagh for immediate removal of illegal encroachments.
On Tuesday, Chaudhry Imtiaz Ahmed ordered Nazim Forest Poonch to prepare a detailed report of illegal constructions within the limits of the forests. Secretary Forest also issued orders to the staff of the Forest Department about a compliance report.
Expressing concern over the trend of illegal occupation of the forest department area within the boundaries of Bagh, Secretary Forest issued orders to the subordinate staff to discharge their duties properly. He warned that if any complaint is raised against illegal encroachments in future, strict disciplinary action would be taken.
Talking to the media, Secretary Forest, Chaudhry Imtiaz Ahmed termed forests as a national asset and said their protection was a national responsibility. He added it was the responsibility of the subordinate staff to take strict and immediate action against illegal occupants. He went on to say that the government had given a clear policy on the protection of forests and the prevention of illegal construction on the lands which must be implemented. He assured that legal action would be taken against the illegal occupants of forest lands not only in Bagh but also in any part of AJK and the media would also be informed about the action taken in this regard.