Digboi: Forest officials in Assam’s Tinsukia district seized a large quantity of illegally sourced timber during a crackdown near the Tarani Reserve Forest on Saturday afternoon.
Acting on specific inputs, a team from the Khatangpani Range under the Doomdoma Forest Division conducted a search operation at a residential premises in Tarani Bengali village under Pengaree Police Station. The property is reportedly linked to one Gyan Moran.
During the operation, officials recovered around 300 cubic feet of timber, including Hollong sawn wood and B-class logs, with an estimated market value of about Rs 3 lakh. Equipment suspected to have been used for processing and storing timber was also seized.
The main accused, however, managed to evade arrest and is currently absconding.
Shravan Saikia, in-charge of the Khatangpani Forest Range, said the seized timber has been taken into government custody and efforts are underway to trace those involved in the illegal activity.
A case (No. 24/25) has been registered under Sections 40, 41 and 49 of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, and further investigation is in progress. Officials said a formal notice has been served to the accused.
The operation has drawn appreciation from local residents, who said it reflects a firm response against illegal timber activities in the region.
At the same time, concerns have been raised over the persistence of such activities. Residents and activists alleged that illegal felling and timber smuggling have continued for years, pointing to possible gaps in enforcement.
Environmental activist Debajit Moran said such large-scale activity may indicate deeper systemic issues. He noted that the operation comes shortly after a change in leadership within the division, suggesting a possible shift towards stricter enforcement.
Similar concerns have also been flagged in the adjoining Lekhapani Forest Range in the Digboi Forest Division, where instances of illegal timber trade have reportedly been frequent. The area, located along the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border, is considered ecologically sensitive and vulnerable to forest-related offences.