The abnormally large increase in salvage marking in the Chamba forest circle in 1998 has raised eyebrows and given rise to apprehension that fellings are taking place in the grab of "salvaging dry and fallen trees". Until 1996, on an average between 20,000 and 25,000 cubic metre of standing volume of trees was marked annually in the circle under salvage lots . However, the figure incrased to over 60,000 cubic metre last year which is more than double the average.