Bokaro: The Bokaro forest division on Saturday busted a network allegedly involved in illegal felling of trees and timber processing and detained five persons in Gomia block.Divisional forest officer (DFO) Nitish Kumar said the action followed specific intelligence inputs. “A team of forest officials conducted simultaneous searches in Tulbul and Dhende villages. The accused were allegedly sourcing timber from forests around the ecologically sensitive Luguburu hills and transporting it to illegal sawmills, where the logs were processed into furniture and other products before being sold in local markets,” he said.During searches, officials asked operators to produce valid transit permits and licenses for transporting timber and running sawmills. None could furnish the required documents, prompting action. The department seized five tractors of illegally stored timber and confiscated machines used in wood processing.“Five accused were booked under relevant provisions of the Indian Forest Act and the Jharkhand Sawmill Act. They will be produced before a court soon,” the DFO added.The operation was led by Kumar, with teams from Tenughat, Gomia and Chas forest ranges, and support from Kuju and Mandu ranges of the Ramgarh division. A 12-member Bokaro police team provided security.Officials termed the crackdown crucial, noting that Luguburu hills is part of a key elephant habitat. “Unchecked deforestation is contributing to habitat degradation and increasing the risk of elephants straying into human settlements, triggering conflict with humans,” an official said.The department warned of strict action against illegal tree felling, timber smuggling and activities threatening forest ecosystems.
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment
Attachment