TURA: Despite sealing of illegal sawmills and seizure of timber in many parts of Garo Hills by authorities to contain the menace of deforestation, criminals continue to target vulnerable forests that are out of reach for forest patrol teams.
Garo organisations have pointed out about recent illegal felling of trees in Rangmangre area of North Garo Hills where the timber smugglers have managed to move the freshly sawn timber to the side of the road from where it is being loaded into vehicles to export to neighbouring Assam.
“Passing through the Rangmangre road in North Garo Hills (NGH) one will see logs of fresh timber left on the roadside for smugglers to transport out,” said NGO member S D Sangma. He alleged such open felling and transport indicated a nexus between the smugglers and officials.
Meghalaya has lost approximately 115 sq km of forested area in just a span of two years, as per a report published by the Forest Survey of India in 2017. The destruction included the most densely forested areas, it was mentioned.
Forest and wildlife teams are having a herculean task in containing the illegal timber trade and in their pursuit of the timber smugglers have seized several consignments and sealed dozens of illegal sawmills. Despite such pro-active action, smugglers continue with their operations.
Garo Hills NGOs are of the view that there is a strong nexus between politicians and government officials with the smugglers.
“If there is no nexus then how can timber be transported so easily without any checks through the state roads?” question the organization leaders.
In the attempt to be one up on authorities, smugglers have been improvising their skills at evasion. From removing vehicle seats of small cars to accommodate timber, concealing the freshly sawn wood hidden in mini trucks and Tata wingers by stacking them with sacks of vegetables, to alleged bribing of officials to get a green light on roads, every attempt is being made by those out to strip Garo Hills of its last green cover.