An organized criminal group, identified as the timber mafia, is systematically destroying the lush forests near the Sabri Waterfall tourist spot, conducting illegal logging operations at night and setting fires to conceal their activities, causing severe environmental degradation.
This dense forest of pine trees, located on community and privately owned lands in Moliya village of Union Council Bakot, is the result of three decades of conservation efforts. It was originally planted by the Watershed Kunhar Range Department in collaboration with local residents, becoming a significant ecological and aesthetic asset for the region over the years.
The illegal deforestation is concentrated along the banks of the Moliya Bakot stream and around the waterfall. Reportedly, the culprits set fires after cutting trees to erase evidence, a practice that is also causing extensive damage to the surrounding flora, fauna, and wildlife habitat.
This criminal activity extends beyond the Moliya area, with reports of accelerated tree cutting during the winter rains and snowfall. These illicit activities are severely impacting a vast area from Bakot Forest and Garang Nala to Khan Kalan and Khurd. The felled timber is then allegedly smuggled to Kohala via Nathiagali and Berot Khurd. Government forests in the upper areas of Union Council Pattan Kalan and Namal Bakot are also reportedly being plundered, further exacerbating the environmental damage.
In response to the growing devastation, public and social circles are appealing for immediate intervention. They have called on the Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Watershed Management, the Commissioner of Hazara Division, the Deputy Commissioner and District Police Officer of Abbottabad, and other relevant authorities to launch an investigation, take decisive action to stop the deforestation, apprehend the responsible group, and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.