Assam: Illegal timber syndicate thriving allegedly under forest officials’ watch in West Kamrup

Alarming reports of rampant illegal deforestation and timber trade have surfaced from the West Kamrup Forest Division, raising serious questions over the role of the state’s Forest Department officials in protecting Assam’s green cover.

Situated between the hills and the Brahmaputra River, the forest stretches of Boko and Bondapara in the Assam–Meghalaya border area have become hotspots of unchecked logging. Sources allege that unscrupulous traders, with the tacit backing of officials, are cutting down valuable trees on a large scale. Beyond timber felling, felled trees are often burned to produce charcoal, which, along with sawn timber, is then supplied to various markets, including minority-dominated areas.

Shockingly, allegations suggest that a large-scale syndicate is being run from within the system itself, particularly under the jurisdiction of the Nagarbera Riverine Reserve Forest Range Office. Reports indicate that the in-charge officer is at the center of this operation, collecting Rs 10,000 per truck of timber and Rs 5,000–7,000 per truck of charcoal from traders. Additionally, every timber shop under the range is reportedly forced to pay a monthly fee ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.

Further, insiders allege that for renewing licenses of legal timber shops, officials collect anywhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000. Shops are also charged Rs 20,000–40,000 for each challan book, a mandatory record for transporting timber. According to Range Officer Nurul Hassan Saikia, there are 80 licensed timber shops and 11 timber-related industries under his jurisdiction.

The illegal activities recently came to light during a raid in Bhaoriyavitha village under Nagarbera Range. At the M/S Shakil Anowar Timber Shop, officials reportedly discovered a machine cutting valuable teak logs, while leftover pieces were dumped in nearby fields. Workers present at the site fled before they could be questioned. Despite being informed, neither the West Kamrup Forest Division officials nor the Nagarbera Range staff reportedly took meaningful action to seize the timber.

When asked, Range Officer Nurul Hassan Saikia claimed that the remoteness of the area made it difficult to control such activities. However, this explanation has done little to quell doubts, as allegations continue to mount regarding his direct involvement in the syndicate.