Illegal Transportation of Prohibited Timber Seized by Forest Department

Raipur, December 2025 : The illegal transportation of prohibited timber has been detected and seized by the Forest Department. Acting on the directions of Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, strict action is being taken across the state against forest-related crimes. As part of this ongoing drive, on December 4, 2025, during scheduled night patrols, the department’s enforcement team seized five vehicles that were illegally transporting prohibited timber in the Dhamdha and Patan forest divisions of Durg district.

To strengthen forest conservation, it is essential to curb deforestation, promote extensive plantation drives, crack down on illegal timber trade, conduct public awareness campaigns, ensure the participation of local communities, and strictly enforce the legal framework such as the Forest Conservation Act.

Forest offence cases bearing numbers 76/22, 76/23, 76/24, 76/25, and 53/24 were registered on December 5, 2025, against the vehicles caught transporting prohibited timber. Of the seized vehicles, four—CG 04 JC 8048, CG 06 M 0463, CG 07 CA 1055, and CG 07 C 7985—have been kept at the Patan depot, while vehicle number CG 04 JD 7725 has been secured at the Kumhari depot.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Shri Deepesh Kapil informed that as per the rules, the prohibited timber will be confiscated by the state, and penalties will be imposed on the accused. He further stated that the department is carrying out continuous inspections, intensive patrolling, and strict action against illegal activities to further strengthen forest conservation.