Lahore: The Punjab Forest Department has sealed 39 illegal sawmills and 22 unauthorized timber processing mills across the province in a major crackdown against illegal timber activities on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Under the supervision of Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, legal proceedings have also been initiated against the owners of the illegal sawmills and timber processing units, while operations against illegal logging, transportation and processing of timber have been intensified across Punjab.
According to a spokesperson for Forest Department Punjab, the crackdown has been launched to protect forests and valuable timber resources, with Forest Department teams conducting operations in various districts and forest divisions.
In Sialkot, 24 illegal sawmills were sealed during operations in Bajwat and Chaprar areas, while in Murree Forest Division, action at six locations led to the sealing of three illegal timber factories and nine sawmills.
In Attock, 10 illegal timber factories were sealed during operations at two locations. Forest officials also took action against illegal sawmills and timber-related activities in different areas of Rawalpindi North, confiscating and sealing illegal machinery.
In Pindi Gheb, four illegal sawmills were confiscated and an illegal timber factory was sealed.
In Chichawatni, operations were conducted against illegal sawmills and charcoal kilns established within forest limits, resulting in the sealing of several unauthorized installations. In Layyah, seven illegal charcoal kilns and 13 illegal structures were demolished, while an illegal sawmill was also sealed.
In Murree’s Chingwariyan area, an illegal sawmill was confiscated, while another was sealed in Dhir Kot.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said illegal cutting, transportation and processing of timber would not be tolerated under any circumstances. She said protection of Punjab’s forests and natural resources was among the government’s top priorities in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. She said the Forest Department was implementing a zero-tolerance policy for the protection of forests and valuable timber resources, adding that indiscriminate action against the timber mafia, illegal logging and unauthorized sawmills would continue across the province.
