Correspondent
Guwahati, July 24, 2023: A successful operation conducted by forest officials in Kheroni, West Karbi Anglong, Assam, resulted in the interception of a substantial quantity of timber on Sunday. Acting on a tip-off about the movement of valuable timber from West Karbi Anglong to Lanka in the Hojai district, authorities swiftly acted to apprehend the smugglers in the Arnamteplong area of Kheroni.
The timber smugglers had planned to transport the valuable consignment via the Kapili River, but thanks to the timely response of the forest officials, the shipment was seized before it could reach its destination. The estimated market value of the seized timber is worth more than Rs 1 lakh.
This incident is part of the ongoing efforts by the forest department to combat illegal logging and protect the precious forest cover of the state. Just recently, another operation took place in the Kheroni forest area of West Karbi Anglong, where forest officials encountered a gang involved in illegal tree felling on Monday night.
During the operation, the forest officials had to chase down a vehicle used by the culprits. Although they managed to seize the vehicle, the driver and helper managed to escape into the forest. The market value of the timber found in the confiscated vehicle is estimated to be between Rs 70,000 to 80,000. The timber was loaded onto a Tata pickup truck with registration number AS 02 BC 8473.
In a concerning separate incident in the same region, unknown miscreants managed to escape with a vehicle used by the forest department for their operations. This incident highlights the challenges faced by authorities in their fight against illegal activities in the area.
The forest department continues to work tirelessly to protect the state's natural resources and combat illegal activities that pose a threat to the rich biodiversity and ecological balance of Assam. The recent successful interception of the timber shipment is a testament to their dedication and vigilance in preserving the state's forests for future generations.