A village headman (Nokma) allegedly sold off trees within an A’king forest reserve, which were then felled to be transported to the many illegal sawmills in the village of Chibinang, West Garo Hills, it has been reported.
Reports of tree felling in the village forest of Arigre were made to the forest officials of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) of Phulbari range. The incident reportedly took place on Friday.
After receipt of the information, a team from the Phulbari office rushed towards Gomaijhora to investigate the matter and saw many trees, young and old, cut down and grouped together in many sections of the reserve forest.
Upon seeing the approaching forest personnel, the people involved in the act quickly escaped, taking along with them equipment that had been brought to fell the entire forest, including battery operated hacksaws.
Upon further investigation it was learnt that the Nokma of Erigre had sold the trees within the reserve to some businessmen near Chibinang for an amount reported to be around Rs 3.2 lakh.
“Young trees, some as old as a year have been hacked down without care. They just don’t seem to care as to what happens to the environment due to these acts. This is condemnable to say the least,” said a GHADC forest official on condition of anonymity.
After the random destruction of the forest, the area now resembles an empty piece of land – a stark contrast from the thick foliage in the area earlier.
Forest personnel further reported that such acts have become commonplace and truck loads of illegally felled timber were being carried from the hills to the plains to cater to the illegal sawmills – all for just a few rupees more.
What is even more scathing is the fact that the felling of trees is being allowed without the villagers being consulted in most cases. Neither is the GHADC, the custodian of land and forests in Garo Hills, ever informed before such acts take place.
