PASIGHAT: The Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) has uncovered a major illegal timber transportation racket across East Siang, Siang, and Upper Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, alleging blatant forest law violations and administrative apathy.
AdiSU Speaker Kalen Tadeng revealed that on the night of July 22, the union’s members intercepted seven timber-laden trucks near Rengging view-point and Okok Resort along the Pasighat–Pangin road, seizing 44 illegally transported logs en route to Pasighat.
“We were shocked to see the timber-loaded trucks moving at night. Everyone knows that transporting timber after dusk is strictly prohibited,” Tadeng said.
According to AdiSU, four of the trucks were traced to No.3 Tamuk Sawmill in Pasighat, and the remaining three to Rome Sawmill in Mebo, with timber allegedly sourced from Lelek diversion near Rottung in Siang district. Crucially, none of the drivers could produce valid Timber Permits (TPs) or Inner Line Permits (ILPs). They reportedly admitted they were directed by sawmill owners to operate at night to avoid detection.
AdiSU slammed the Forest Department officials—including DFOs and RFOs—of negligence and indifference, accusing them of “collecting salaries without protecting forests.”
“The trucks moved freely without checks. The department appears entirely absent. This reflects extremely poor credibility and failure in duty,” Tadeng said.
The union has formally urged Arunachal’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the State Environment & Forest Minister, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to:
• Regulate sawmill operations
• Enforce forest laws more strictly
• Monitor transportation and harvesting of timber in ecologically sensitive zones
AdiSU also warned of increasing use of heavy machinery like JCBs to access and exploit previously untouched steep forest terrains, resulting in rapid forest loss, biodiversity destruction, and contributing to global climate concerns.
“The forest areas of Siang belt are being looted under the nose of the authorities. If action is not taken now, the damage will be irreversible,” Tadeng cautioned.
AdiSU has vowed to intensify its vigilance drives and mobilize public opinion if government authorities fail to respond with concrete action.
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