3 men arrested for cutting down trees in Nangarhar forest

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Three people have been arrested for allegedly axing down forest trees in the Sherzad district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Monday.

Maulvi Abdul Sattar Mohammad, Director of Agriculture and Livestock of Nangarhar, said the three men were cutting green trees in the Kadikhel area of Sherzad district when they were arrested by local officials of the department.

He said the detainees have been introduced to judicial bodies for further investigation and they would be punished according to the law.

He said the Islamic Emirate had banned cutting and smuggling of forest trees.  He called on the people to refrain from cutting forests and also help the government in arresting offenders.

Local residents say they are happy that the government is serious about prevention of deforestation.

Malik Mohammad Anwar Omar, a tribal leader in Sherzad district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that forest protection was impossible without people’s cooperation.

Nangarhar agriculture department officials say they are not only paying more attention to the protection of forests, but have also intensified their efforts to revive the jungle.

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