Forest officials swing into action
NONGSTOIN: A day after The Shillong Times reported about the indiscriminate burning and transportation of charcoal in West Khasi Hills, officials and staff of DFO, Khasi Hills (T) Division on Tuesday seized as many as five trucks of illegal charcoal from Seinduli and Mawroksoin under Mawshynrut.
Surprise checks were also carried out at Porla, Seinduli and Thiepjaphlang villages in West Khasi Hills and illegal charcoal weighing 20 MT was seized.
The seizure was made following a surprise inspection of the areas. Media persons from Nongstoin also accompanied the Forest officials who also dismantled the trenches used for burning charcoal.
The charcoal was seized for violating Rule 3 of Meghalaya Charcoal Rules 2008.
Forest official L Shangpliang told media persons that the surprise check was made after the higher authority ordered stern action against those supplying charcoal illegally. He also said that the checking will also create awareness among the people of the area about the harmful effect this illegal trade has on the environment.
There are more than 100 charcoal depots in West Khasi Hills and the main source of charcoal is Rambrai-Mawlangsu area with 5-10 trucks plying from the area every day.
The Forest official added that the surprise inspections might continue for some time to check the menace in the entire district.
