Tura, Oct 22: The Forest Department has intensified its crackdown on illegal sawmills in West Garo Hills, seizing timber and dismantling machinery during a raid conducted near Bhaitbari on October 21.
A team led by the Range Officer of Hollaidanga Range, under the guidance of the Divisional Forest Officer, West and South-West Garo Hills Territorial Division, conducted the operation at Belbari and Gasbari Sorokpara following reports of illegal sawmill operations.
At Belbari, officials seized 40 N/Sal timber logs after the operators had dismantled the machinery before the team’s arrival. At Gasbari Sorokpara, an operational illegal sawmill was dismantled, including its engine, band saw and associated machinery.
The seized timber and machinery were transported to the Hollaidanga Range Headquarters for safe custody.
Divisional Forest Officer Rupanker K. Marak, IFS, said that strict monitoring and anti-smuggling operations would continue to dismantle illegal timber networks across West Garo Hills.
