Senate Panel Halts Timber Transport Licenses in Gilgit-Baltistan

A Senate subcommittee has directed forest authorities to suspend the issuance of timber transit licenses in Gilgit-Baltistan until physical verification of lessees and logging operations is completed.

The directive was issued during a meeting of the Senate Sub-Committee on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions, chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman at Parliament House. The committee reviewed the implementation of the Diamer Forest Working Plan 2021-2050 and the overall management of forests in the region.

The panel instructed the forest department to ensure complete transparency in implementing the working plan. It said timber transit licenses would remain on hold until physical inspections are completed, harvesting targets are verified, and adequate oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure sustainable forest management and restore public confidence.

During the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and the Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Department informed lawmakers that forests in the region are privately owned, but local communities have advocated for their scientific management.

According to officials, the Diamer Forest Working Plan covers 122,863 acres spread across six forest ranges and divided into 343 compartments. Multidisciplinary validation teams have used GIS mapping and GPS tracking to assess the forests and eliminate bias during the verification process.

They added that tree harvesting under the plan is limited to dead, dying, diseased, mature, and over-mature trees. Out of 125 compartments assessed so far, 72 have been approved for harvesting operations, while 53 were declared unsuitable. Felling orders have only been issued for six compartments.

Committee members expressed concern over inconsistent forest policies over the past 26 years, arguing that authorities had prioritized revenue generation over conservation since the 1990s. They warned that the approach had undermined public trust and contributed to illegal logging.

The panel also called for stricter monitoring of timber transportation to curb the illegal movement of timber across the region.

In addition, the subcommittee directed the forest department to submit complete service records and performance details of all 1,200 employees. It also sought all relevant structural documents and official records dating back to 2003 for further scrutiny.