Assam Forest Department Draws Flak for 'Failing' to Stop Deforestation

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKO: "The State forest department has totally failed to stop deforestation under the Kamrup West Divisional Forest Office," alleged the villagers of Boko and Chaygaon area.

Villagers of the Rajapara area said that everyday smugglers were deforesting the forest area by using portable wood cutting chainsaw machines. They use elephants and buffaloes to load the wood logs onto the trucks and these are transferred to the riverine areas of Kamrup district by the smugglers.

Villagers have informed the matter to the forest department many times. But the villagers alleged that no action has been taken in this regard as yet. The area comes under the Kamrup West Divisional Forest Office which is situated in Bamunigaon under Chaygaon constituency. Few days back, local people of the area, mostly Garo people, asked the timber smugglers to stop the deforestation but they were threatened by the smugglers.

The local people have expressed serious concern over the timber smuggling activities and have demanded the department concerned to take immediate steps to stop such activities in the area.

Also Read: Deforestation, illegal sale of liquor cause concern in Subansiri area