UPPER DIR: People of Kalkot area of remote Kohistan valley here on Sunday blocked the DirKohistan road to vehicular traffic to protest nonpayment of forest royalty funds.

The protesters alleged that the district administration had given their funds to those people who had no right over royalty.

They said the home department had issued clear directives that royalty should not be paid to former elders of Kalkot, and the money should be distributed among the forest owners through the area tehsildar. However, they lamented that the district administration had ignored the directives. They said they had also taken up the matter with the KP chief minister who had directed the anti-corruption director tolookinto the case,but nine months had passed but no remedial measures were taken in that regard.

They threatened to stage a protest in front of the office of assistant commissioner, Sheringal, if the royalty payments were not made until coming Friday.

TIMBER MAFIA: The Dir Tehsil Council, through a resolution, asl
The resolution againstillegal cutting of forests in Usheri Dara and other areas was tabled by Mujahid Khan, tehsil councillor from Palam. The resolution alleged that guards of the forest department and its other employees were backing the timber smugglers.

`The forest department has closed eyes to rampant deforestation in the district,` Mujahid Khan said.

Anwar Ali, another councillor, alleged that substandard material was being used in the repair of Usheri Dara road, adding the communications and works department should stop payment to the contractor.

Councillor Shakirullah from Sheringal tehsil demanded of the provincial government to establish TMA office and appoint staff in the tehsil.

Maroof Shah Advocate said influential persons had taken TMA shops at a very nominal rent of Rs500 to Rs1,000, and rented them out to others at Rs10,000 to Rs15,000.

The council also passed a resolution against the taking of interest in private businesses. It was tabled by Maulana Badshah Mohammad.

On the occasion, tehsil nazim Mir Makhzanuddin said forests were the national wealth and their protection was the responsibility of all. He vowed that forests in Upper Dir would be preserved and stern action would be taken against timber mafia.