Illegal sawmills worry forest minister

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will chair a high level meeting on Thursday evening to discuss the issue of sawmills operating in the state.
This was informed by Forests and Environment Minister Lahkmen Rymbui when a query was raised by Congress MLA Mayralborn Syiem about licence issued to sawmills. Rymbui informed that the total number of licensed sawmills dealing with the timber industry in the state is 45. The total number of unlicensed sawmills is 177, with Ri Bhoi leading the chart with 71. East Khasi Hills has 47 illegal sawmills, West Khasi Hills 51 and West Garo Hills 8. Syiem expressed concern over the unlicensed sawmills and wanted to know from the government whether it has any plan to issue more licences.
Rymbui said government has no plan to issue more licenses but there is a process of issuing licence based on a working scheme. Moreover, sawmills can be set up only in industrial areas.
According to the information provided by the minister, there are no unlicensed sawmills in East Jaintia Hill, West Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills and North Garo Hills.
Last month, 185 sawmills were closed down following an Apex Court order.