HAFLONG, April 23 - Though Dima Hasao district is considered to be the greenest in Assam, but the fact remains that tree-felling, particularly in border areas of Dima Hasao has remained unchecked.
The recent arrest of one Akum Rongmai from Khepre area for being involved in such illegal tree-felling has exposed the real picture of Dima Hasao Forest Department.
According to the villagers of Khepre, timber smuggling is going on from 2013. Though the matter was informed to the concerned department, no concrete steps were taken to stop the menace of timber smuggling by people from Nagaland.
They also alleged that the gangs involved in timber smuggling are so strong that the villagers can hardly stop them. Sometimes, they place nails on the road so that the vehicles of the security men or of the departmental officials get punctured. The villagers also said that this practice can be checked only when the Forest Department takes some pragmatic initiatives. There is an apprehension that if this practice of tree-felling is allowed to continue unabated, as of now, then the day is not far off when the glory of Dima Hasao of being the greenest district within Assam will remain a mere slogan only, while the district slowly but surely turns into a barren land.
