Dear Editor,
Being an environmentalist I have to share an issue that our mountains namely Mandrala, Licha, Devsheter, Chendrai etc are rich in flora and fauna. It is habitat of countless species of plants and animals. There is a rich biodiverisity in this area. Plants, herbs having great medicinal and economical value including Patees, Dhoop, Nagshatri, Mouhra, Chura and many more are found here. These plants need protection as they have been recorded as endangered species. They are on the verge of extinction. Once it was a time when these herbs were used in treating the injuries of Laxman, the brother of Lord Rama through Pawan Putter Hanumaan. Presence of such an ecologically important herb population is a matter of pried for we people. But as ill luck would have been it, poachers/smugglers from Doda, Chamba, Bhadarwah and locality are busy in the destruction and elimination/illegal clearing of these varities of biodiversity for illegal trade. As per past practices, poachers are busy in doing their jobs this year also. Authorities are sleeping with eyes closed. People from all sides gather in clusters, having all kind of bag and baggage can be seen in the area, looting the valueable property of nation. It is requested to the concerned authorities through your esteemed paper to look in to the matter, and do the needful after finding the facts. Hoping for sympathetic considerations.
Shabir Hussain master
Govt HSS Jakhed
