Forest dept fails to curb illegal sawmills in WKH

NONGSTOIN: The District Administration, particularly the Forest Department (Territorial Division) and the Forrest Branch of the District Council, has allegedly failed to take action against illegal sawmills operating in West Khasi Hills thereby leading to violation of the Supreme Court order that states that sawmills can be operational only within the industrial estate which is situated in Mawiaban.
During a spot inspection made by this correspondent it was found that sawmills are being set up in remote places like Mawthungmarwei, Chitangbah, Mawphansyiar, Domjri, Mawlieh, Mawrang, Nongkroh, Mawthaw in Rambrai area. The illegal sawmills were also found in Mawlangsu and Nongstoin among others. “These sawmills are set up away from the main road so as to avoid public glare,” said a source.
It may be mentioned that in June 2012, all sawmills were closed down except those which were set up in the industrial estate. The then WKH SP N. Rajamarthandan had conducted an inspection following the Supreme Court order and found that most sawmills were illegal. However, after the transfer of the SP, the sawmills were reopened.
A high ranking official of the State Forest department recently admitted that despite their best efforts illegal sawmills are still running in the district.
Another Forrest official told The Shillong Times that there were close to 190 illegal sawmills in West Khasi Hills and the trend will cause an irreparable damage to the State’s forest cover in the years to come.