JAGDALPUR,CG: The Bastar Forest Division of Chhattisgarh as part of the ongoing crackdown, the department has seized seven vehicles used in the illegal transportation of wood.

The seized vehicles include a motorcycle, two pickup trucks, a Bolero, a Scorpio, a Tavera, and an Innova. These vehicles were found transporting a total of 3.245 cubic meters of wood. The seizures were formalized after a hearing of the seizure proceedings, with the Deputy Divisional Forest Officer (Jagdalpur) issuing orders in favour of the government. The vehicles were confiscated as their owners failed to appeal within the 30-day period allowed for challenging the seizure.

The action is being carried out under various provisions of the Indian Forest Act of 1927 and the Chhattisgarh Forest Produce Trade (Regulation) Act of 1969.

Deputy Forest Divisional Officer Jagdalpur, Devlal Dugga said the Forest Department is actively working to prevent forest crimes through awareness programs led by forest management committees. Additionally, informers have been appointed in sensitive areas to provide timely information on forest crimes, with a reward system in place for those who contribute valuable intelligence, ensuring their identities remain confidential.

Uttam Kumar Gupta, Forest Officer of Bastar Forest Division, affirmed that ongoing action against forest and wildlife crimes remains a priority. Gupta emphasized that all subordinate forest staff have been instructed to enforce the law rigorously and to promptly impound vehicles involved in such illegal activities.