TURA, Oct 22: The Forest department has stepped up its drive against illegal logging in West Garo Hills, seizing timber logs and dismantling an unauthorised sawmill during raids near Bhaitbari on October 21.
Acting on tip-offs regarding illegal operations, a team led by the Range Forest Officer of Hollaidanga Range, under the direction of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the West and South-West Garo Hills Territorial Division, carried out the operation across Belbari and Gasbari Sorokpara.
At Belbari, officials seized 40 Sal logs. The sawmill operators had dismantled the machinery and fled before the forest team arrived. At Gasbari Sorokpara, the team detected an operational mill and dismantled it on the spot, seizing the engine, band saw, and related machinery.
The confiscated timber and equipment were transferred to the Hollaidanga Range headquarters for safe custody.
DFO Rupanker K Marak said strict monitoring and anti-smuggling operations will continue across the district to dismantle illicit timber networks.