GOLAKGANJ, March 1 � The Assam forest department has seized illegal forest products worth Rs 20 lakh after it began its operation in Dhubri district last week. It has also closed illegal sawmills and three brick kilns at Chirakuti under Bilasipara subdivision.
Sources said large quantities of timber and log were seized from the district in the week-long operation against illegal trade of forest materials. Abdul Goni, ACF, Dhubri Forest Division told this correspondent that the operation would continue. �We are not going to stop the operation,� he said.
On the other hand, Nature�s Friends an NGO, has alleged that the forest department woke up a bit too late from its slumber to launch the operation. Its director Kulodhar Das alleged that the action against illegal trade was an eyewash and the trade would resume with impunity. He expressed solace that some action was being taken against the illegal traders, but expressed doubts on how long the crackdown would continue.
