Chief Conservator admits to illegal tree felling in GH
SHILLONG: While admitting cases of tree felling in parts of Garo Hills, the forest department has stepped up patrolling with the assistance from police personnel in the region after an inquiry.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Territorial) CP Marak told The Shillong Times on Tuesday after the spot visit carried out by the chief conservator of forest K S Lyngdoh in Garo Hills, the department has decided to augment security to check tree felling as an interim measure.
Following the reports of large scale tree felling, many arrests were made and consignment seized recently. Moreover, the trucks carrying the logs are still in police custody and would not be released on bail bond.
In the past, there was a trend of police releasing the vehicles carrying logs on bail bond.
According to Marak, as part of inquiry, Lyngdoh visited several parts of Garo Hills including Simsanggre, Darugre, Tura, Williamnagar, and Rongjeng among others and he had given instructions to the staff to keep vigil.
There is also a move to get additional manpower from other divisions of the forest department to ensure adequate security in and around vulnerable forest areas of Garo Hills , Marak added.
Asked about the people involved in tree felling, the forest official said that a proper high level probe was required in this regard.
