AGARTALA, Dec 15 (TIWN): Smuggling of wood across Kalyanpur is on a rise and allegedly the Kalyanpur forest department is busy in long slumber. It is to be mentioned here that gang of smugglers are engaged in cutting the teak wood logs from the forest area and trespasses it to the neighboring countries in exchange of hefty amounts. There smugglers were apparently goes out in jungle for some days for chopping trees and moving the teak logs and collects the wooden logs for trespassing. It is to be mentioned here that the forests across the state are facing serious challenges due to illegal destruction, smuggling of wooden logs and poor management by the concerned department. Hundreds of tonnes of teak and other expensive wood are smuggled out to different places within Kalyanpur and neighbouring areas. According to sources, teak smuggling has gained its momentum during night in the Kalyanpur area. Wood smugglers have been selling woods in open market. Organized gangs are illegally procuring logs of woods and smuggling it to the other countries. Wooden logs of teak and Shorea Robusta is smuggled openly to Bangladesh market by the smugglers. This heavy smuggling is not only a open looter of green gold but has also given birth to other environment hazards like deforestation, soil erosion and loss of habitat for wild animals.

On the other hand it is also alleged that many of the sand dealers waits for long hour to collect transit permit from Forest department to take permission for collecting sand. However it is seen that most of the time to office remains closed and they keep on waiting.

Kalyanpur Forest Department officials are never found in the office during the office and the office remains closed most of the times.