Overview
- The Assam Forest Department launched the enforcement drive on Tuesday, June 30, directing divisional forest officers and range officers to identify, seize and permanently close illegal sawmills across the state.
- Officials say the campaign is already producing results with 23 enforcement actions reported and multiple band sawmills, timber shops and processing machines seized in different forest circles.
- Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah warned that any range officer or divisional forest officer who allows illegal mills to operate will face personal departmental proceedings.
- Licensed sawmills and end users will face rigorous checks to confirm timber stocks match valid Transit Passes, GST invoices and e-Way Bills and to ensure no unauthorised machinery is in use.
- Field teams must submit daily, geo-tagged division- and range-wise reports and the department has opened a confidential helpline, 94352-04444, to gather citizen tips that could break alleged collusion and curb organised felling.