Out of 92 sawmills established at different places in Mirsarai Upazila, 80 are being operated illegally. They do not have the approval of the concerned department. Wherever such illegal sawmills are established, the forest resources are losing a huge amount of revenue every year.
According to the sources of the forest department, the number of licenses obtained in Mirsarai upazila is about 10. On the other hand, there are 82 unlicensed illegal sawmills. About 5 people are applying for the license. Various trees stolen from reserve forests of different districts are being freely grazed and sold. Thieves and illegal timber traders are said to be doing illegal activities freely in these illegal mines. As a result, nature and environment are being destroyed. Wildlife is disappearing. The natural environment is under threat.
Sawmills cannot be set up at least 10 km away from health centers, religious institutions, amusement parks, gardens and public health or environment sites. However, no one is following this instruction.
Sawmill owners, who did not wish to be named, said that the business of the sawmill is based on cutting wood. Sawmill traders obtain licenses from local unions and municipalities. If someone comes from above, they are managed.
Legal sawmill owners complain that their business is not going well because of illegal sawmill traders.
Locals complain that illegal sawmill traders are encroaching and stealing wood day and night. The operation is going on throughout the day with the direct support of officials and forest guards.
Prasar Kanti Bara, the president of Sawmill Samiti of the upazila said, "We always request our members of Sawmill to conduct their operation legally."
In this regard, Chief Assistant of North Forest Division of Chittagong District, Nurul Haque said, "Those who are running illegal mills have already been given notice.
The list of illegal and unauthorized sawmills has been given to the local upazila administration. The cooperation of the administration is needed to remove them.
