Assam launches statewide crackdown on illegal sawmills

Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 30 (HBTV): Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Tuesday announced a statewide mission to identify, seize and permanently shut down all illegal sawmills operating across the state, warning of strict departmental action against officials who fail to act against such operations within their jurisdictions.

The minister said protecting Assam's forests and biodiversity is a collective responsibility, adding that the government is committed to preventing illegal logging and safeguarding the state's forest resources.

Following directions from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Forest Department has instructed all Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), Range Officers and other field officials to launch an intensive enforcement drive across every forest division.

'The operation has already begun, with officials directed to identify, seize and shut down illegal sawmills, particularly those operating in remote and interior areas where illegally felled timber is often processed,' Mallabaruah said.

He said every illegal sawmill must be seized immediately and all illegally stored timber confiscated.

The minister said officials have also been directed to submit geo-tagged photographs along with detailed division-wise and range-wise daily reports on enforcement action. Licensed sawmills will also undergo rigorous inspections to ensure they operate strictly within the conditions of their approved licences.

Officials have been instructed to verify that no unauthorised machinery has been installed and that all timber stocks are supported by valid Transit Passes (TP), GST invoices, e-Way Bills and other mandatory legal documents.

Mallabaruah warned that any Range Officer or DFO found allowing illegal sawmills to continue operating within their jurisdiction would be held personally accountable and face departmental proceedings.

'We have launched this drive in mission mode. Our objective is to ensure that every illegal sawmill across Assam is shut down within the coming week,' he said.

Expressing concern over reports of illegally transported timber, particularly from Goalpara across the Brahmaputra River to remote areas such as Baghbar, the minister said the government would not allow organised destruction of forests to continue.

He appealed to the public to report illegal sawmills by sharing their locations, photographs or other evidence through a dedicated helpline, 94352-04444, assuring that all information would be treated confidentially.

Mallabaruah also urged people to report any instances of collusion between Forest Department officials and illegal sawmill operators, saying strict action would be taken against those found guilty.

The minister said the Forest Department would now monitor the entire timber supply chain, including end users. Action would also be initiated against individuals or commercial establishments found using timber without valid Transit Passes, GST documentation or other legally required records.

Reiterating the government's commitment to protecting Assam's forests, Mallabaruah sought the cooperation of departmental officials and the public to make the statewide campaign against illegal sawmills successful. (ANI)