The Assam forest department has launched a statewide mission to identify, seize, and permanently shut down all illegal sawmills operating across the state. The department has warned that strict departmental action will be taken against officials who fail to act against illegal operations in their respective jurisdictions. State forest minister Jayanta Mallabaruah emphasized that protecting Assam’s forests and biodiversity is a collective responsibility and asserted that the government is committed to preventing illegal logging and safeguarding the state’s forest resources.
In a Facebook Live session, Mallabaruah addressed the people, highlighting the importance of the mission and the need for collective action. The forest department has instructed all divisional forest officers, range officers, and other field officials to launch an intensive enforcement drive across every forest division. The operation is already underway, with officials directed to identify, seize, and shut down illegal sawmills, particularly those operating in remote and interior areas where illegally felled timber is often processed.
The minister emphasized that every illegal sawmill must be seized immediately, and all illegally stored timber confiscated. Officials have also been instructed to submit geo-tagged photographs and detailed division-wise and range-wise daily reports on enforcement action taken. Licensed sawmills will also be subjected to rigorous inspections to ensure they operate strictly within the limits of their approved licenses.
The forest minister warned that any range officer or DFO in whose jurisdiction illegal sawmills continue to operate would be held personally accountable and face departmental proceedings. The minister expressed concern over reports of illegal timber being transported from forest areas and appealed to citizens to report the location of illegal sawmills and provide photographs or other evidence. A dedicated helpline number has been activated through which information can be shared confidentially.
The minister also urged people to report any instances of collusion between departmental officials and illegal sawmill operators, assuring that strict action would follow. The department will now monitor the entire timber supply chain, including end users, and initiate action against individuals or commercial establishments found using timber without valid transit passes, GST documentation, or other legally required records.
