Williamnagar, Feb 18: Alarmed at the continuing destruction of forest wealth of the state, this time from within the Songsak Reserve in East Garo Hills (EGH), the Achik Organization for Social Welfare (AOSW) has questioned the state forest department for its laxity is stopping the ongoing decimation of forest reserves, right under their very noses.
The matter came to light after members of AOSW visited the Reserve two days ago, Friday, Feb 16, following complaints of smugglers using chainsaws to cut down trees from within.
The Songsak Reserve, till recently was amongst the densest protected forests looked after by the state forest department. Nearby Rongrengre Reserve, about 25 kms away has borne the brunt of illegal smuggling with more than 50% of the forest cover already being lost to illegal smuggling and encroachment.
During the visit, the AOSW members detected illegal cutting down of trees by alleged smugglers who ran from the place upon being detected along with the electric chainsaws that they used to hack down high value trees, including sal and teak.
“This is the scene that is going on where Honda chainsaw machines are being used freely despite the fact that many check posts with the latest technologies and manpower are being put into place for the protection of the Reserve. Where are these people when such activities are taking place under their very noses,” asked AOSW leader, Premier Sangma.
Lashing out at the laxity of the department to continue denuding of the forest reserve, AOSW members questioned the departments responsible for saving forests in the state.
“What are those at the check posts doing? Are they drawing lakhs in salaries just to do nothing? What are those police personnel, who’ve set up unnecessary naka checking barriers doing that they are unable to detect these criminal activities? What happened to those CCTV cameras? Are they even checking the CCTV? What is the use of spending lakhs and crores of public funds on those hi-tech cameras when they are not even being used to protect our forests? This is wrong and the departments need to wake up and do the work they are paid for,” felt Premier.
