KULOB, February 22, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Raid by specialists from the Shouroobod department for environmental protection on the outskirts of the village of Khojagalton (phonetically pronounced) has allowed preventing mass tree cutting in the area.

Hasan Taghoyev, the head of the Shouroobod department for environmental protection, says five residents of the village of Khojagalton, which borders Afghanistan, were detained on Monday for illegally cutting trees.

According to Taghoyev, more than 30 instances of illegal tree cutting were recorded in the district last year.

“Meanwhile, two local forestry enterprises can provide residents with firewood,” said Taghoyev.  “But because of high prices and transportation problems, local residents prefer illegal tree cutting.”