Deforestation continues unabated in Doomdooma

9 pieces of chopped logs recovered in Dwarmarah Reserve Forest

Our Correspondent

DIGBOI: While the allegations and counter allegations by two political parties in Assam have been doing the rounds, centring round the alleged coal and timber syndicate in Tinsukia district, illegal felling of Hollong tree was seen on Tuesday morning in Dwarmarah Reserve Forest of Khatangpani range under Doomdoma Division in Tinsukia district.

Despite round-the-clock vigilance by the forest department, notorious timber smugglers chopped a Hollong tree in the reserve forest near Bordumsa into nine pieces and hide the wood in the bushes to be transported conveniently under the cover of darkness.

Meanwhile, the forest team at Pengaree Kahatanpani Range led by ranger Hiren Kumar Medok visited the site and took the timber under departmental custody. According to sources, the reserve forest has been undergoing sharp depletion for long and illegal timber have been a primary source for a section of traders who dupe the department concerned and carry on the trade. “Hollong trees are also chopped mercilessly during the night by a section of traders and sold as firewood in hotels and restaurants which have opened at Bordumsa in Tinsukia district,” alleged Tejendra Moran, the president of Tarani FFMC Committee.

Ranger Hiren Kumar Medok, who was in the site transporting the timber after official seizure, said that despite limited manpower in the office, he seized seven vehicles and around 230 pieces of timber logs within one year from the nearby Tarani Reserve Forest, besides arresting three people under the Forest Act. Lamenting upon the departmental limitations and fund crunch, the official said that the beat offices at Tarani, Dwarmarah and Brahmajan were lying defunct due to shortage of manpower and financial constraints. “With four staff and five members in the protection team in my range, it is just next to impossible for me to combat the menace effectively due to geographical extension covering Tarani, Dwarmarah and Buridehing Reserve Forest,” said the Ranger.

Also Watch: Broad daylight Smuggling of Timbers near Bordumsa-Pengri Road