CACHAR “Operation save nature.”

By-Jyoti Lal Chowdhury

There has been frequent public outcry against illegal quarrying and mining of sand from the river system of Barak Valley. This has been going on for decades without any action by the forest officials concerned or the administration. The situation has come to such a pass that even the forests and its wealth have become the target of timber-mafias. The media, both print and electronic, has been highlighting with graphic details and photographs how the greenery and the illegal mining and quarrying go on daringly. Of the three districts in this valley, Cachar is richest in natural resources.

According to a forest official who wants to remain anonymous, 90% of the quarrying of stones and mining of sand has been illegal. People, both tribal and non tribal, have often dared to speak out against the mafias.