NONGSTOIN: The DFO Khasi Hills (Territorial) Division, Shillong, seized 6 MT of illegal charcoal from Laitdom in West Khasi Hills on Saturday.
Four patrolling teams of forest officials carried out their drive at Mawlangsu, Mairang and Rambrai areas.
According to the Meghalaya Charcoal (Control of production, Storage, Trade and Transit) Rules, 2008, both charcoal producers and stockists should be registered with respective DFOs (Territorial) and that charcoal should be made from legally sourced trees. Violation of the rules may lead to prison for six months or fine of Rs 500 or both.
Illegal charcoal production at Mawlangsu and Mawkohie has reduced considerably following regular patrolling by eight teams, formed by the office of the DFO Khasi Hills (Territorial) Division, on highways and roads, and a series of raids in June-July.
The patrol teams have seized 130 MT of illegal charcoal from West Khasi Hills and Ri bhoi during the raids. The teams have also apprehended 50 trucks carrying illegal charcoal since January 2016. The forest officials also conduct surprise checks on the premises of ferro-alloy factories to prevent the use of illegal charcoal.
However, sources said the forest patrol teams do not conduct checking inside forests but seize charcoal that they find on the road side. They further said in Mawlangsu area, more than 1,000 tonne of charcoal was stored in the nearby forest.
