Forest resources being illegally exploited
SILCHAR, August 6: Exploitation of forest resources across Barak Valley by mafias and smugglers is not a new phenomenon. But, of late, their frequency and exploitation has shown a rising trend. During monsoon when rivers and rivulets are full, it becomes easier to smuggle out timbers of felled trees and uprooted bamboos and deliver them to their destinations. This is the well known modus–operandi.
Along with these timbers and bamboos, sands, stones and even their chips are being illegally extracted from river beds and taken to various places for commercial gains. In the process, the revenues to be earned by the forest department go unrealized. The syndicates of mafias and smugglers, in fact, rule the roost. Their political patronage and protection have also come to light.
In view of the mounting public criticism and allegation against the indifferent and callous attitude of the forest department to take tough and firm action against those involved in illegal business of forest resources, a mid night operation was launched by the Cachar division. During the operation carried out by the protection wing headed by Debashis Chakraborty, ranger, in the Rongpur area on the northern fringe of this town across river Barak, 8 trucks were detained. Of these trucks, 4 were loaded with sands, 2 each with bamboos and stone chips. After preliminary investigation, it was found that all these trucks were carrying the materials without any valid permits.
The trucks were brought down to the office of the Cachar Forest Division here and after cross–examination of the drivers and assistants, it came out that Udharband and Borkhola constituencies located down the foothills of Borail have become the hotspot of forest mafias and smugglers. After the ban on quarrying at Madhura by Gauhati High Court, the mafias have turned their attention to Kachuthal and Balacherra quarries. It is from these areas that other forest resources are also being taken out unauthorizedly, according to knowledgeable circles.
Though the divisional forest officer, Rajib Das, spoke of initiating action against the 8 trucks detained, it was revealed subsequently that a trader dealing with forest resources and close to a minister became active to release them and hush up the matter. An insider in the department admitted it. It was therefore clear that under political protection and patronage, illegal business in forest resources has been going on.
It is not only the Kachuthal and Balacherra, information as gathered refers to Jalenga sand quarry under Dwarband police station of Cachar. Local people allege that despite ban on extracting sands from Jalenga, the smugglers continue to take out sands and with the help of trucks deliver them to their destinations. A part of the sands find their way to Mizoram. A rough estimate says that every day 6 to 7 lorries full of sands from Jalenga area with its two rivers, Sonacherra and Balicherra, are seen moving. This illegal business in sands is also controlled by an influential businessman of this town with political back up. During dry season, it is alleged that nearly 40 trucks with sands from the area move in different directions.
The public allegations of ferrying timbers and bamboos through the Sonai and Barak rivers from the forests in and around Bhuban hills on the eastern front of Cachar along the border of Manipur are also galore. This has been going on for a long time. Often the mafias and smugglers adopt surreptitious and deceptive methods to ferry the timbers and bamboos. These are then delivered to saw mills dotting the river side of this town. Besides, according to knowledgeable circles, the bamboos in particular are taken to Cachar Paper Mill. All this illegal business goes on without check at the cost of the forest department which loses its due and huge revenues.
Debashis Chakraborty, ranger of Cachar Forest Division, admitted the illegal business and said they also want to stop it and for that vigilance and patrolling have been mounted. He at the same time spoke of the lack of mobility on the part of the department to keep a close watch on the smuggling of forest materials through riverine routes. The forest division has no mechanical speed boats to meet the challenges of the forest mafias. Till the division is well equipped and unless political protection ends, illegal exploitation of forest resources will continue.
Source: The Sentinel 07.08.2013
