Residents file complaint against illegal sale of sal trees

SHILLONG: The residents of Dobu have sought the intervention of East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe in an issue concerning the illegal sale of Sal trees from the village forest reserve by a few individuals to a dealer in Mendipathar going by the name Bojo.
The residents also accused the Nokma of being involved in the illegal activities and stated that the village forest reserve in Dobu-Rimding belongs to the whole Dobu area and is not the sole property of the Nokma and Clan.
Dobu village consists of 14 sub-villages namely Dobu­Rongmu Songitcham, Dobu-Bawarnggittim, Dobu-Anchengbok, Dobu­Achakpek, Dobu-Chankolgittim, Dobu-Agalgre, Dobu-Chandaregittim, Dobu­Chitimbing, Dobu-Nengbare, Dobu-Bolsalgittim, Dobu-Rimding, Dobu Cherasugittim, Dobu-Wenokbibra (Bazar area) and Dobu-Wenok Songital under one Nokmaship and Akingland having separate Sordars.
“We are concerned about rapid worsening of world climatic conditions and the drying up of streams and smaller rivers due to rampant and uncontrolled felling of trees. Instead of preserving those Sal trees some individuals only want to earn money. We do not find any value by selling trees from the village forest reserve and strongly feel it is better to preserve,” the residents said.
The residents also informed that a few individuals had obtained the signatures of many residents on the pretext of applying for CGI sheets under the SRWP or MLA scheme and use this as proof that the residents had agreed to the felling of trees.
On receiving this information, an emergency meeting was held in which more than 200 people resolved to lodge a formal complaint to all concerned authorities in order to prevent the illegal trade.
“Trees need time to grow but in this case people instead of re-planting trees will encroach and settle down as there is a land crisis in Dobu. If there is no intervention in this matter, those people will surely proceed with their intention of felling trees and if a section of the people will not allow it, there will definitely be quarrels which may lead to bloodshed,” the residents said.