Shillong, Jul 6: Four sawmills were shut down in the Jaintia Hills region by the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Jaintia Hills Territorial Division during a two-day enforcement drive against illegal timber operations.
The drive was carried out by the Range Forest Officers of Saipung and Jowai Territorial Ranges on July 3 and July 6 following credible intelligence and official complaints from NGOs
During the enforcement operation, authorities seized sawn timber and round logs that were being processed and stored at these illegal sawmills. Offence reports have been registered against the owners under relevant provisions of the forest laws and regulations, officials said.
The Divisional Forest Officer has made a public appeal, urging individuals to refrain from illegal felling, transportation, processing, and trade of timber.
Field officers and staff have been instructed to maintain rigorous enforcement drives against forest offences
The department reiterated its commitment to protecting forest resources and said it follows a zero-tolerance policy on violations of forest laws. Strict legal actions will be taken against those involved in illegal logging and unauthorised sawmill operations.
