Bandipora Consumers Face Timber Shortage as SFC Fails to Meet Demand
Bandipora: The residents of Bandipora are expressing frustration over the State Forest Corporation’s (SFC) failure to supply timber to those in need, despite local timber production in the district.
Locals say that SFC’s lack of responsiveness has left them facing severe problems, especially as the summer construction season is near ending.
Residents allege that SFC has abandoned the district by shutting down its Divisional Manager (DM) office in Bandipora, which was previously located in the Mini Secretariat. After the previous DM’s transfer, the new officer has reportedly refused to attend the office in Bandipora, despite being directed by the Deputy Commissioner to maintain a presence there three days a week. The rooms allocated to SFC in the Mini Secretariat are now occupied by another department, further complicating the situation.
The lack of an SFC office has forced many locals to buy commercial timber at steep prices.
Tufail Ahmad, a resident, has been waiting for sanctioned timber for over a year, leaving his house construction incomplete.
For nearly ten months, timber depots in Bandipora have gone without supplies, despite timber recovery from local forests. Residents from areas like Laharwalpora, Nusoo, Nadihal, Gamroo, and Ajas report long delays and express anger over being overlooked, while neighboring districts appear to receive regular timber distribution.
“Timber sanctioned for us sits in forests and depots, but we are left waiting for years,” said one local resident. Abdul Rashid, who has also waited months for his timber allocation, highlighted the inconsistency between sanctioned and actual distributed timber, leaving many residents in limbo.
Adding to the residents’ frustrations is the apparent imbalance in timber distribution between Bandipora and Ganderbal. Since the DM’s office was relocated to Ganderbal, Bandipora residents are forced to travel there to process their timber applications, a task previously handled locally.
In response, Divisional Manager Altaf Mehmood stated that 1,500 cubic feet of timber has recently been deposited in three locations within Bandipora and assured that the distribution issue would be addressed within a week. Additionally, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, has promised to look into the matter.
Bandipora residents are urging local representatives, including the Member of Legislative Assembly, to intervene and ensure the timely supply of timber.
