High-level meeting to stop smuggling of timber in Arunachal

A high-level meeting here today decided that Forest authorities and police would launch operation to stop illegal felling of trees, poaching and smuggling of timber from reserve forests and wildlife sanctuaries along the inter-state boundary.
The meeting called by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki was attended by Home Minister Tanga Byaling, Chief Secretary, DGP, Commissioner to CM, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, an official communique said.
The meeting decided that any individual, including government officials, or groups found guilty will not be spared and punished as per the law and stringent forest acts.
Forest authorities as well as the district administration and police have been directed to maintain extra vigil in all vulnerable forest areas.

The state government will strictly monitor all activities in these areas that is causing huge revenue loss as well as massive deforestation and endangering wildlife.
The meeting identified Balemu in West Kameng, Kellong and Seijosa in East Kameng districts as forests prone to illegal activities and therefore directed the authorities in these areas to be extra vigilant.
The government has appealed the local people to cooperate with officials and also dissuade those involved from indulging in illegal forest activities, the communique added.