Agartala, 3rd September 2026 : Allegations of illegal felling and smuggling of valuable timber from forest areas in North Tripura and Dhalai districts have intensified following the recovery of illegally obtained teak wood during a Forest Department operation in Kumarghat subdivision.
Acting on information regarding illegal timber, personnel from the Pecharthal APO unit of the Forest Department conducted a raid in the Ramdula Para area under the Machmara Range. During the operation, officials reportedly recovered around 20 feet of teak wood believed to have been illegally felled.
However, details regarding the identity of those involved in the alleged timber smuggling, including whether any person was detained during the operation, were not immediately available.
Local residents have alleged that valuable trees are being felled from forest areas and transported through different routes under the cover of darkness. According to them, an organised network may be operating behind the illegal felling and transportation of timber.
The latest recovery has once again raised concerns over the protection of forest resources in the region. Residents and environmental-conscious citizens have urged the Forest Department to intensify surveillance and conduct regular raids in vulnerable forest areas.
They also stressed that recovery of illegally felled timber alone is not sufficient. Authorities should identify those responsible for organising the illegal activities, as well as the persons involved in felling, transporting and facilitating the smuggling, and initiate appropriate legal action.
Locals expressed hope that sustained enforcement and stronger monitoring will help curb illegal logging and protect the region’s valuable forest resources.
