Timber smuggling on the rise: Villagers report 10-15 trucks crossing Assam-Meghalaya border daily

Guwahati: The western corridor of Guwahati, which connects with Meghalaya via the Rani Forest range in Assam near Guwahati Airport, has emerged as a crucial route for timber smuggling.

Local activists claim that trucks loaded with timber frequently traverse this route under the cover of night.According to sources, once the trucks enter Assam through the NEC Road connected to NH-17 in Assam, they avoid the highway and instead take smaller paved roads through nearby villages like Nalapara and Joypur. Villagers report that approximately 10 to 15 trucks and pickup vans regularly pass through the Sukurberia gate on the Assam-Meghalaya border from evening until early morning.Activist Dinesh Das, general secretary of the Sangrami Krishak Shramik Sangha, said, “Around 20 timber sawmills operate close to the inter-state border area within Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya, but most owners hail from the neighbouring South Kamrup area in Assam. In addition to cutting trees in Meghalaya, timber smugglers also fell trees from the Rani and Loharghat ranges, sending these logs to Meghalaya mills for processing.

”The timber is reportedly transported to parts of Guwahati and the lower Assam region, where it is sold alongside legally traded timber. While trees like pine that come from Meghalaya are used in house construction, officials in Assam note that valuable trees like Sal and Segun in neighbouring areas of Meghalaya hardly come to Assam as these were already cut down years ago. However, Sal and Segun are allegedly being transported from nearby reserve forests of Assam, namely Kawasing and Jarashal under the Rani range, to Meghalaya mills for sawing.

Timber from the Meghalaya bordering Loharghat range is also reportedly sent to these mills.The forest department has acknowledged the illegal trade, noting that smugglers transport timber from the hills of Meghalaya without proper authorisation. Although the department claims to be proactive, seizing at least five loaded trucks in recent months, they cite a lack of adequate manpower to curb smuggling attempts around the clock as a significant challenge.Ashok Kumar Dev Choudhury, divisional forest officer, Kamrup East, said, “Whenever we receive information, we act against the illegal timber trade. Many surprising facts have come to light, including the use of trucks without number plates for unauthorised timber trade.” He added that several trucks seized during smuggling attempts have no claimants coming forward. “After confiscation, the trucks will be auctioned,” he said.According to regulations, authorised timber trade within the northeastern states can occur via road routes, but trade outside the northeast is to be conducted through rail routes.