Baramulla: A serious timber scam has rocked the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Development Corporation (FDC) North Circle as fresh documents reveal contradictory claims over the handling of snow-fallen stocks . A recent letter dated 21 May 2025 from the Divisional Manager of FDC Zangli, Kupwara, has acknowledged that the said timber stocks were never formally taken over by the FDC, contrary to previous assertions made by field staff.
The document (No. 414-17/DM/FDC/Z), addressed to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kamraj Forest Division, points out that the handover of these stocks allegedly occurred between the Range Officer and Range Manager FDC — without any official counter-signatures from either the Divisional Manager FDC or DFO Kupwara. This omission casts serious doubt on the legality and authenticity of the transaction.
Crucially, the letter calls for the case to be referred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Kashmir, highlighting that the issue has been raised repeatedly and must now be examined thoroughly to bring it to a logical and legal conclusion. The move to involve ACB indicates the gravity of the allegations and the growing concern within official circles regarding possible malpractice, record tampering, and timber misappropriation.
The disputed compartments lie in a highly sensitive forest zone, and any illegal felling or undocumented timber movement could have severe environmental as well as financial consequences for the region.
This latest development comes on the heels of a recent RTI revelation reported by JK Dastak, which exposed glaring contradictions between the FDC and the Forest Department’s records, suggesting a possible cover-up by officials within the FDC North Circle. That report, which has already sparked public outrage, can be accessed here:
BIG BREAKING: RTI Reveals Massive Timber Scam in J&K FDC North Circle – Contradictory Claims by FDC and Forest Dept Spark Cover-Up Fears
BIG BREAKING: RTI Reveals Massive Timber Scam in J&K FDC North Circle – Contradictory Claims by FDC and Forest Dept Spark Cover-Up Fears
As the case gains momentum, there is growing demand for a full-scale independent inquiry, and pressure is mounting on the Anti-Corruption Bureau to initiate immediate action. Forest rights activists warn that failure to act now will only deepen public distrust and allow corrupt practices to thrive in one of the Valley’s most crucial ecological sectors.
