(IN): Timber smugglers having a field day

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Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=may1408\State5

 

*Timber smugglers having a field day

* From Our Correspondent

MIRZA, May 13 – The growing depletion of forest cover in the State has

become a cause of great concern, posing a serious threat to the eco-system.

Wanton felling of trees particularly the timber wealth in remote areas is

the chief contributor behind this alarming situation.

 

What is worrying to note is that the alleged connivance of some unscrupulous

forest officials with the timber smugglers has complicated the matter. The

local populace who has made no secret about lack of seriousness of some

forest officials alleged that forest personnel are hardly seen patrolling in

the interior areas of thick forest cover adding duty entrusted with them is

confined to seizing the firewood being carried on the bicycles.

 

The organised group of timber smugglers has sustained jolts on several

occasions due to the awareness of the some local people of

Loharghat–Razapara area, particularly the Barduar Bholagaon unit of ARSU.

Exposing the alleged nexus between the smugglers and a few forest personnel,

the students' body seized a good number of smuggled timber-loaded tucks last

year, one of which was reportedly without registration number.

 

A source revealed that taking full advantage of the miserable state of the

deprived lot the smugglers are alleged to have motivated them to cut timber

for Rs 200 as daily wage. And in the event of inclement weather they have a

field day with people being out of the sight. The smuggled timber-loaded

trucks 7 to 10 in numbers have been supplied to Paham in Meghalaya. Here it

may be recalled that the massive timber felling incident in the reserve

forest area a few months back under Loharghat range that led to the

suspension of two forest officials including then range officer have exposed

the vulnerability of the forest resources. Here it is worthwhile to recall

that Forest Department under the colonial rule was entrusted to manage the

resource and the traditional community rights over forests enjoyed by the

tribal population helped protect the forest cover. But the Raj stripped the

rights of the local people helping easy access of outsiders to the forest

area. This step coupled with the ever-growing demand of timber has dealt a

blow to the forest resources.

 

Sources say that the construction boom has taken its toll on the floral

wealth of the State and the herbivores have borne the brunt of

indiscriminate destruction, leading to the growing man-elephant conflict.

Rise of unemployment problem, mentality of earning easy money could also be

accounted for the growing pressure on the forests.

 

A sal reportedly takes 80 to 100 days to be mature and cutting of this

valuable timber has been going on to meet the growing needs without

undertaking new plantation drive. Despite the apex court's landmark verdict

banning the felling of trees in 1996, the State is reported to have lose

trees from 280000 ha reserve forest land from 1995 to 2001. And according to

the Forest Survey of India, from 2003 to 2005, forest area measuring nearly

630 sq km has been lost.

 

Here it may be noted that the condition learnt to have been laid by the then

Central Government in its policy just after independence-fast-growing timber

species would be planted after cutting trees as a compensatory measures has

seemingly failed to have its desired effect since post-plantation is barely

witnessed in reality.

 

Holding the callous attitude of the authority concerned liable for the

growing dwindling of the forest cover, a source expressed that without

genuine political will to protect the forests no endeavour could meet

success, adding health of environment is a boon for all. Referring to the

well-equipped network of the smugglers, the source lamented the ill-equipped

forest personnel and at the same time was of the view that the economic well

being of the so far deprived lot easily motivated by the smugglers is

imperative to arrest the unabated massive depredation of our forest

resource.

 

Taking it seriously the government should undertake result-oriented measures

to stop the rot. The reported suggestion of the host of Acts like The

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, The Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and The

National Forest Policy, 1988 that is one-third of the countrie's

geographical areas be under forest and tree cover would come a cropper.

 

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