The centuries-old forests of South and North Waziristan Districts are on the verge of extinction as the timber mafia in collusion with the local officials are ruthlessly cutting off the years-old trees, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

The logging is swiftly going in several North Waziristan areas including Shawal, Makeen, Ladha, Razmak and Shaktoi and the wood is being smuggled to neighbouring Afghanistan.

The South Waziristan areas of Barmal, Zaindawar, Sarray Khowarray, Saleema and Jalayi are also facing the business of felling trees and preparing the timber for smuggling it to Afghanistan, hence endangering the forests.

The logging was also being used to turn it into coal and then smuggled it to Afghanistan.