Whose jurisdiction this forest land lies? Locals of Qaziabad questions admin

People from Qaziabad and its adjoining areas of Langate of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday accused Forest Department of allowing the illegal extraction of sand in the forest area.
Sources said that in upper areas of Qaziabad including Kunnel, Tangwari, and others, unknown miscreants have started digging forest land to extract sand illegally.
They said officials posted in the area are watching mute spectators over such illegal activities and are accusing that the area is not falling in their jurisdiction.
Range Officer Rafiaabad said that the area falls under the Mawer range, while on approaching Mawer range officer, he said that area falls under Rafiabad arrange. The inter-department situation on the matter has stoked public anger in the area who alleged that the extraction of sand within the forest land is a joint ploy of miscreants and officials of the Forest Department.
According to residents, the officials concerned are allowing the extraction of land in broad daylight and added they are hand in glove with the sand smugglers.
“The Government orders in this regard are being brazenly violated and forest department seems clueless”, locals alleged.
They said the extraction of sand is causing huge damage to the wooden area and the activities causing massive soil erosion.
Locals added that the extracted material is being ferried in broad daylight. They said despite repeated assurances from authorities that illegal exercises in the area won’t be allowed, nothing has changed so far.
North Kashmir Conservator Irfan Ahmad assured that he will depute officials to the spot for stopping further damage.
“I will also investigate the jurisdiction of the area”, he said.