Kotpad: The remote villagers of Malchamal have realized the importance of forest conservation and are giving it more priority than their livelihood every morning. The Forest Protection Committee, formed in 2002, has been actively working to safeguard the forest. Every day, 5 to 10 villagers patrol the jungle in shifts, protecting it from wildfires and preventing illegal logging by timber mafias.
However, in recent years, illegal logging of Sal and other valuable trees has increased. Despite repeatedly submitting written complaints to the administration, no significant action has been taken, according to members of the Malchamal Forest Protection Committee.
Villagers have also complained that some people deliberately wound tree trunks with sharp weapons, causing them to gradually dry up and fall naturally, after which timber mafias steal the wood. Over the past two years, large-scale deforestation has left parts of the forest completely cleared.
Additionally, some individuals have been clearing forest land for cultivation, leading to further loss of greenery. Villagers have been **informing the Kotpad