OTV Impact: Illegal sawmills sealed in Bhadrak

Bhadrak: Two sawmills operating illegally under Chandbali sub-division of Bhadrak was raided by the Forest Department on Wednesday.

The crackdown came after OTV in a report had highlighted menace of illegal sawmill units in the district. Two wood-cutting machines, generators and gas-cutters were seized during the raids today.

The operation was executed jointly by Assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Birja Mohan, Ranger Arun Behera, Additional Tehsildar, local police and other forest officials of Dhamnagar Tihidi range.

"Acting on a tip-off on the operation of the illegal saw mills, we have dismantled the units after seizing all the machineries and equipment. Proper action will be taken against them as per law, "said Mohanty.

During the raid, the sawmill owner reportedly fled the spot.

Last month, the forest department officials had conducted simultaneous raids at four sawmills in Tulasipur area of Nimapara while valuable timber worth lakh and equipment were seized.