Illegal timber smuggling continues to thrive in the Sontali area of Boko, Assam, as smugglers operate openly and with growing boldness. Large quantities of valuable tree logs move regularly through local routes, raising serious environmental and legal concerns. Residents have watched with alarm as trucks and other transport vehicles carry timber across the area with little to no resistance.
The West Kamrup Forest Division has not responded visibly to the growing crisis. Despite repeated alerts and pleas from the local population, the department has not taken strong steps to curb this rising menace. People living in Sontali report frequent nighttime movement of timber-laden vehicles, often guarded by groups of men who appear well-organized and unafraid of the law.
Locals believe the network involved in the smuggling includes people from both within and outside the state. Many suspect that the timber does not stop at Boko but travels further across Assam and possibly even to neighboring states. This situation has sparked fears about the scale of deforestation occurring in the region. Villagers recall once-thick forest stretches that have now thinned out or vanished entirely, replaced by dusty trails used by smugglers.
Community members have raised their voices against this environmental exploitation. They say the silence of the authorities only encourages the smugglers to act with impunity. Residents demand urgent intervention from higher forest and administrative officials. Many fear that without action, Sontali’s ecological balance will collapse, affecting biodiversity, water resources, and soil health. Farmers already notice subtle shifts in their crop patterns and reduced productivity in nearby fields.
A senior resident from the area recently addressed a local media outlet, expressing his disappointment with the system. He claimed that while ordinary people remain accountable for minor infractions, large-scale environmental crimes continue unchecked. His frustration echoed across many voices in the village. Others also spoke about feeling helpless as they watch their surroundings change irreversibly.
Political representatives have started to comment on the issue as pressure mounts. A few leaders from nearby constituencies visited Sontali last week to assess the situation after protests from environmental activists and local youth organizations. They met with forest officials and promised to raise the matter with state-level departments. However, their visits have not yet resulted in any visible crackdown or arrests.
Environmental experts in Assam have linked such smuggling operations with long-term climate risks. Deforestation, they warn, weakens flood defenses, destabilizes local temperatures, and disrupts monsoon patterns. Areas like Boko, already prone to heavy rainfall, could suffer from increased soil erosion and waterlogging without the tree cover acting as a natural buffer. Wildlife too faces displacement, leading to rising instances of human-animal conflict in nearby zones.
Local schools and NGOs have tried to engage students in forest protection drives and awareness campaigns. Teachers urge children to become custodians of their environment and report any suspicious activity. Some youth groups have also taken to documenting the movement of timber trucks through photos and videos, hoping to attract the attention of regional media and administrative officials.
Despite these efforts, the lack of official response continues to trouble the community. Calls for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and deployment of forest guards go unheard. Residents have now begun to consider peaceful demonstrations and petitions to push their demands further. Their hope lies in uniting community voices to compel the authorities into meaningful action before it’s too late.
As the Sontali region grapples with this crisis, its people remain determined to protect what is left of their environment. They say their fight is not only for the trees but for the future of their children and the sustainability of life in the region. Their message is clear: silence and inaction will only strengthen the smugglers. What the area now urgently needs is strong leadership, responsible governance, and immediate enforcement of environmental laws.
Its continuing to plague the Sontali area in Boko, with trucks carrying massive tree logs frequently seen along rural roads. Despite mounting concern from villagers and environmental observers, the West Kamrup Forest Division has failed to take visible action. The silence from the authorities has only emboldened the perpetrators, who now operate almost fearlessly, even during daytime hours.
Residents have repeatedly raised alarms about the growing network of timber smugglers. They have pointed to specific locations where logging activity occurs under the cover of darkness. Several community leaders have also submitted memoranda to forest officials, demanding patrols and tighter surveillance in forest zones. Still, the authorities have yet to initiate any strong enforcement steps. Locals say they fear long-term consequences for both their immediate surroundings and the overall ecological health of the region.
A local schoolteacher described how the smuggling threatens the community’s future. He said that the rampant destruction of trees weakens the area’s defense against soil erosion and floods. He added that children grow up witnessing environmental exploitation, which can dull their awareness about the value of forests. Community elders echoed these sentiments, stressing that their ancestral lands are losing the natural balance that once supported farming, fishing, and foraging.
Meanwhile, several villagers claim to have identified key individuals behind the illegal operations. They allege that the smugglers enjoy political backing, which makes it difficult for common people to challenge their activities. Some also suspect that a few low-level forest personnel may be complicit, citing the smooth movement of timber-laden vehicles through checkpoints without inspection.
The absence of decisive action has created a climate of distrust. Environmental activists and student bodies have called on the Assam government to take up the issue seriously. They demand the deployment of special task forces to investigate and curb smuggling. Some groups have even threatened to stage demonstrations if the state machinery continues to ignore the situation.
A youth from Sontali said that the forest once teemed with wildlife, but that sounds of birds and animals have begun to fade. He recalled his childhood memories of trekking through dense green woods, now reduced to barren patches. He warned that if timber theft continues unchecked, the area could lose its identity and biodiversity forever.
With pressure mounting, the Forest Department faces growing calls for transparency. People want regular updates on anti-smuggling operations, community forest programs, and initiatives to replant lost trees. They also urge the government to install surveillance cameras and monitor satellite imagery to detect deforestation in real time.
If officials do not act swiftly, locals fear irreversible damage. Forests in Boko serve as vital green lungs for the region, and their depletion will worsen climate impacts in the years ahead. Residents say they remain hopeful but cannot afford to wait indefinitely. They demand that the state act with urgency to safeguard the environment, ensure accountability, and protect future generations from the fallout of inaction.