To cater to the increasing demand for timber and firewood across the state, Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Corporation (SFC) has sold 75,088 cubic feet of forest timber to consumers and assured that there is no shortage of firewood.
"As many as 75,088 cu ft of timber worth Rs 2.50 crore has been sold by Forest Department this fiscal. As many as 51,303 quintals of firewood provided to religious institutions," State Forest Corporation (SFC) managing director Suresh Gupta said.
He said that in north Kashmir region, 2,17,500 cu ft have been dumped, while 15,717 cu ft have been sold so far. In south Kashmir 3,15,478 cu ft have been dumped, while 7,350 cu ft have been sold to the general public.
In east circle of Jammu region, 36,681.65 cu ft have been dumped while 8,573.91 cu ft have been sold. In west circle of Jammu region, 1,20,454.47 cu ft have been dumped even as 20,380 cu ft have been sold so far.
He said in north Kashmir, 29,400 quintals and in south Kashmir 21,903 quintals of firewood was provided during the winter.
The SFC officials said there is no shortage of timber in Srinagar, Jammu or elsewhere as sufficient quantity of timber is available at all its depots.
The Department this time had made early arrangements for dumping and sale of timber in depots, however the process was stalled because of the disturbances in Kashmir.
"There is no shortage of timber in the state right now. We have dumped the raw material and are expediting the process for smooth sale with revised rate list," Sharma said.
Pertinently, the arrangements have been done on the directions of the Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Choudhary Lal Singh, he said.
Singh said he has directed the officials to expedite the process of sale of timber to the public during this financial year and asked them to provide single window system for better results.
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