NASHIK: Illegal logging has started in the forest area of Igatpuri taluka and many villages. In this deforestation, ancient banyan, Jamum, Mango, Teak and other medicinal fruit trees are being cut down without any restrictions. There is a lot of talk among the citizens about deforestation and the intentional neglect of the forest department. Last week, a truck carrying timber was seized near the Vashala Fata and Vaitarna. Ghoti-Sinnar Highway, Vaitarna, Wadivarhe, Sakurphata, Dhamangaon, Kaluste and other areas are witnessing large scale illegal logging.
These lumberjack gangs are using unique tricks to pass through the Naka, and it has been observed from the forest area these lumberjacks are cutting ten trucks of timber on one pass.
In the Gonde Dumala and Wadiwarhe area of Igatpuri tehsil, there are Industrial areas. These companies need wood to run the boilers. There are number of boilers in the industrial sector and many companies have started taking unauthorized supply of a large quantity of timber for these boilers. As there is demand at a high price from industry the tribals are being pulled into this illegal business.
The state government spends crores of rupees every year for tree planting during monsoons. However, the government’s campaign to increase forestation is being defaced in the Igatpuri taluka. If the forest department does not take immediate action in this regard, Igatpuri, a place known as a hill station and also known as Cherrapunji of Maharashtra, will not survive.
