Kathua Forest Department Foils Fuel-Wood Smuggling Bid, Seizes Four Trucks Destined for Punjab

jj correspondent
Kathua, November 13, : In a decisive early morning operation, the Kathua Forest Range today seized four trucks laden with illegally harvested fuel-wood, which were being smuggled to Punjab. The action, taken in strict adherence to forest laws and a Supreme Court ban, underscores the Forest Department’s vigilance against illicit timber trade.
At approximately 6:00 AM, a dedicated Forest Team from Kathua Forest Range, led by B.O HQ Kathua Shri Anshu Sharma, with crucial assistance from the staff of FCP Bamyal and Nagri, as well as Jasrota Range, intercepted the vehicles. The seized trucks, bearing Registration Numbers JK02CK/8157, JK02AJ/9017, JK11D/4708, and JK02BK/4771, were found within the premises of Diwakar Brick Kiln, Mahi Chack, Kathua.
The seizure was made under Section 52(1) and 52(2) of the Indian Forest Act 1927, citing flagrant violations of the J&K Forest Produce Transit Rules, 2020. Investigations revealed that the forest produce was being transported approximately 40 kilometers beyond its allowed destination, with a clear intent to smuggle the banned fuel-wood out of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, directly contravening the Supreme Court’s ban on timber export.
The entire operation was carried out under the direct and meticulous supervision of DFO Kathua Shri Ankit Sinha (IFS), Range Officer Kathua Shri Narinder Kumar, and Range Officer Jasrota Shri Munish Gupta. The drivers of all four trucks were immediately detained for further investigation.
Following the seizure, Forest Offence Reports (FORs) have been officially registered in the Range Office Kathua, specifically vide FOR Nos. 35/2025-26, 36/2025-26, 37/2025-26, and 38/2025-26. Confiscation proceedings for the seized vehicles and illegal produce have been promptly initiated in the Office of the Authorized Officer (Divisional Forest Officer) Kathua.