AJYCP demands strict action against timber mafia

From a Correspondent

MARGHERITA, June 15: Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) Margherita Regiol Committee on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the Margherita Sub Divisiol Officer (Civil) seeking strict action against timber mafia who are rampantly chopping valuable trees of Upper Dehing Conserved Forest Reserve of Digboi Forest Division.

Salil Neog and Kanchan Bora, president and general secretary of AJYCP Margherita Regiol Committee, said that Central Government’s Forest and Environment Department was chanting slogans to plant more and more trees all over the country but in reality valuable trees of Upper Dehing Conserved Forest Reserve under Digboi Forest Division were being felled regularly by the timber mafia and forest department officials were hands-in-glove with the mafia.

“Through Maulang Gaon regularly illegal timber is passed by the Dehing and Tirap rivers while the forest department appears to be in deep slumber.  In reserved areas such as Margherita, Jagun mphai, Kothagaon, Lekhapani, Ulup, Inthem,Tipong Lal Pahaar and mdang, daily valuable trees are cut off. At this rate, after sometime the Upper Dehing Conserved Forest Reserve will cease to exist,” said Kanchan Bora.

“We warn the Margherita administration to take strict action against the timber mafia and corrupt forest department officials of Digboi Forest Division who allow a free hand to these timber smugglers. Otherwise AJYCP will launch an agitation soon,” said Salil Neog and Kanchan Bora.