Assam launches statewide crackdown on illegal sawmills
Guwahati, June 30
Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah on Tuesday announced a statewide mission to identify, seize and permanently shut down all illegal sawmills operating across the state and warned of taking strict departmental action against officials who fail to act against such illegal operations in their respective jurisdictions.
The Assam Minister said 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.
Following the directions of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Forest Department has instructed all Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs), Range Officers and other field officials to launch an intensive enforcement drive across every forest division.
"The operation has already begun, 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 said.
The Minister further said 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 licences. Officials have been directed to verify that no unauthorised machinery has been installed and that all timber stocks are supported by valid Transit Passes (TP), GST invoices, e-Way Bills and other mandatory legal documents," the Assam Forest Minister said.
He warned that any Range Officer or DFO in whose jurisdiction illegal sawmills continue to operate will be held personally accountable and face departmental proceedings.
"We have launched this drive in mission mode. Our objective is to ensure that every illegal sawmill across Assam is shut down within the coming week," the Minister added.
Expressing concern over reports of illegal timber being transported from forest areas, particularly from Goalpara across the Brahmaputra River to remote locations such as Baghbar, Minister Baruah stated the government would not allow organised forest destruction to continue.
Seeking public participation, the Minister appealed to citizens to report the location of illegal sawmills and provide photographs or other evidence.
He announced a dedicated helpline number 94352-04444 through which information can be shared confidentially.
He also urged people to report any instances of collusion between departmental officials and illegal sawmill operators, assuring that strict action would follow.
The Minister further said that the Forest Department will now monitor the entire timber supply chain, including end users. He said action would also be initiated against individuals or commercial establishments found using timber without valid Transit Passes, GST documentation or other legally required records.
Reiterating the government's commitment to protecting Assam's forests, Minister Baruah sought the cooperation of departmental officials and the public to make the statewide campaign against illegal sawmills successful.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative by the Assam government, but what about the workers in these illegal sawmills? Many are poor daily wage earners who have no other livelihood options. The government must also provide alternative employment or skill training programs, otherwise these people will suffer while the big operators escape. Also, need strict monitoring of licensed sawmills - many times they hide illegal timber under valid licenses.
As someone living near Goalpara, I can tell you illegal timber transport across the Brahmaputra is like a well-oiled machine operating in plain sight. Boats at night, no questions asked. The fact that Minister Baruah specifically mentioned Goalpara-Baghbar route shows they know the hotspots. Geo-tagged photos and daily reports are good moves - finally holding range officers accountable. But the real test will be whether any big fish are caught or just small operators.
Impressive to see the state government taking such a comprehensive approach - targeting the entire supply chain from forest to end user, verifying GST docs and transit passes. Having lived in the US where environmental regulations are strict, I appreciate how India is building similar enforcement mechanisms. Hope this mission mode drive succeeds and becomes a model for other states battling illegal deforestation.
One week deadline to shut all illegal sawmills is quite ambitious. Ground realities in Assam's remote areas are very different from Delhi's air-conditioned offices. DFOs face genuine challenges - terrain, lack of transport, and sometimes local political pressure. Instead of warning officers with strict action, provide them with proper resources - vehicles, GPS devices, and security if needed. Also, corruption at lower levels needs to be tackled first.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.