Tura MDC Bernard Marak has raised concerns over the rampant felling of trees that took place recently on the property of the Chisobibra Guest House that belongs to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
According to reports, at least four large trees of sal and teak were cut down allegedly without any permission from the authorities concerned.
Bernard had yesterday posted photos of the destruction that took place where the 100-year-plus trees were cut down for timber to be used on the premises.
On his Facebook post, the MDC questioned as to who provided permission for the cutting down of trees within the compound.
Garo Hills has been ravaged by timber smuggling, which has been taking place all across the region, with the timber either going to Assam or to neighbouring Bangladesh.
Bernard, who paid a visit to the site of the incident, expressed shock over the development.
“There seems to have been an unwritten understanding between the council authorities, including a highly-placed MDC from the ruling coalition, and the lessee, which allowed for the cutting of these trees. When we confronted the employees, they said they were given verbal consent to do so. But how can they cut down trees on a verbal order?” he questioned.
The timber that has been sawn has apparently been seized and taken to Rongrenggre by the Forest Department after information on the matter went viral. The alleged verbal order was given even without the knowledge of the responsible office in the GHADC, sources said.
Bernard pointed to the irony that the GHADC, which is supposed to be in the vanguard of forest protection, is now accused of illegal felling of trees.
“The council authorities must respond, and not only clarify, but act against those responsible for this unwanted act,” he stated.
GHADC authorities, despite many efforts made, were unavailable for comment.
