KOKRAJHAR: At a time when the EM in charge of Forest, BTR Ranjit Basumatary, has undertaken several measures to take harsh action against illegal encroachers in reserve forest and tree feelers, some timber smugglers are felling valuable green Sal trees in Chakrasilla Wildlife Sanctuary near Kokrajhar town while the department concerned has miserably failed to check the timber smuggling in the forest, which is not far from Kokrajhar town.
When a section of media persons visited Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary in the jungle on Friday, they saw many green sal trees being cut and ferried. Local people said that they hardly see the visits of forest officials or protection forces in that area, and thus the smugglers take the opportunity to fell trees. It is pertinent to mention that the Chakrasilla Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for endangered golden langurs, birds, deer, and various snakes. There are two lakes—Diplai and Dheer—that are famous hot spots for visitors. Besides, there are famous Baokhungri and Dangdufur with many historical significances and backgrounds.
It may be mentioned that the immature green sal trees are cut down and brought to Kokrajhar town as firewood by woodcutters every day, but these are not properly checked by the Forest Department. The destruction of forest in Chakrasilla has continued unabated over the years by a section of small tea growers, rubber planters, and woodcutters, but the department has been seen as a mute spectator for the reasons best known to them.
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