Sonamura, July 19: Members of the Green Land Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) on Saturday raised alarm over rampant and illegal felling of mature teak trees in a reserve forest area under Sonamura subdivision, alleging forceful occupation by influential individuals.
The teak plantation, spread across approximately 350 acres, has been nurtured for over 25 years. Originally established in 1992 by the forest department, the garden was actively maintained until 2000. Recognizing the need for community participation in protecting forest resources, the department later constituted the Green Land JFMC. Since then, committee members have worked tirelessly to safeguard the area and sustainably utilize its resources.
However, in recent weeks, a group claiming private ownership of the land began clearing large sections of the forest. When JFMC members objected, they were met with dismissive responses and assertions that the land rightfully belonged to the intruders.
“So far as I recall, the plantation started in 1992 and was always maintained by the forest department. The sudden appearance of these new claimants is suspicious,” said a JFMC member. “We believe their land documents are forged, and the entire encroachment defies forest protection laws.”
Local committee members alleged that despite repeated appeals, the forest department has failed to intervene. As a result, dozens of mature teak trees have been felled and removed from the site, causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem.
Another JFMC member expressed concern over the silence of the authorities, stating, “Since childhood, we’ve known this land to be under forest department custody. The lack of action is deeply disturbing.”
The incident has sparked calls for a thorough investigation and immediate action to halt the deforestation and protect forest land from illegal encroachment and exploitation.
