Illegal timber trade in Lakhimpur

From a Correspondent
Lakhimpur, Sept 19: Illegal felling of trees is rampant in Lakhimpur and the adjoining areas. Local people have alleged that timber smugglers cut down at least 20 trees per day for the purpose of trade from Serajuli area. Moreover, there is report of frequent trade of illegal timber from Bogoli forest. The conservation and sustaible magement of forests depends primarily on the forest department but the people have claimed that forest department officials allegedly take commission from timber smugglers and allow the illegal timber trade to go on under their noses.