BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 11th July 2025: In a major crackdown on timber smuggling, the Dharmanagar Forest Department intercepted a vehicle transporting processed teak wood near the Chamtila Railway Crossing late last night. Acting on a tip-off, forest officials launched an overnight raid, resulting in the confiscation of a large cache of timber from an unregistered WagonR.
Ranger Supriya Debnath of the Dharmanagar Forest Range confirmed that approximately 30 feet of teak wood of various sizes was recovered from the vehicle, with an estimated market value nearing ₹40,000. The operation was conducted in coordination with patrolling units from the Dharmanagar Forest Range and Juri Beat, who chased down the suspicious vehicle and impounded both the car and the timber.
No arrests have been made so far, as the smugglers abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sensing the presence of forest officials and police. However, the department has registered a case under the Forest Act and initiated an investigation.
Officials suspect that the seized wood was collected from protected forest zones and trafficked illegally. Ranger Debnath emphasized, “We are fully committed to safeguarding forest resources. Stronger actions will be taken in the future to deter illegal logging.”
The raid was led by Dharmanagar Subdivision Officer Ashok Kumar, along with Ranger Supriya Debnath, Range Assistant Abdul Sattar, and Lalchhara Forest Beat In-charge Abhijit Das. Environmental advocates across the district have lauded the department’s continued vigilance and success against timber trafficking.
