Jiribam, August 08 2009: Forest Division Office here has lost its credibility to check the rampant smuggling of timbers on Barak river.

The irregularity of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in his office has proved to be the main reason for inability to control the illegal trade.

DFO W Yaiskul is said to be running his office from his residence in Imphal, while his deserted office standing unattended at Uchathol with only sign board showing its existence.

There are three Forest Range offices under the divisional office namely, Jiri Range Office, Jirimukh Range Office and Chaudhurikhal Range Office.

There are Range Officers including that of the Divisional Office namely, A Nabachandra, LT Ngaihte, Ch Prafullo Singh and L Roshan.

Nabachandra and LT Ngaihte are discharging their duties upto some extent while others are not regular in their offices.

Kunjabon Beat Office Forest Guard L Manigopal informed this correspondent that lack of staff has considerably plagued the Forest offices.

According to Jiri Range Office Head Forest Guard Lalmohon Namasudra, revenue for the Department comes from the taxes collected from the transporters of bamboo and cane.

He said that almost all the taxes for the Department are being collected by his Range office while others are failing.

An official of Divisional office confided that more revenues are supposed to be collected by Range offices of Chaudhurikhal and Jirimukh but it is not happening due to disturbances from all quarters.

Notably, the said two Range offices are situated on the banks of Barak river where illegal smuggling of timber is rampant.

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