Forest Dept Seals 39 Illegal Sawmills, 22 Timber Processing Mills
Punjab’s Forest Department has sealed 39 illegal sawmills and 22 unauthorized timber processing mills across the province on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. This crackdown is part of a larger effort to protect forests and valuable timber resources.
Under the supervision of Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, legal proceedings have been initiated against owners of these illegal establishments, while operations against illegal logging, transportation, and processing have intensified throughout Punjab.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Forest Department stated that this initiative aims to safeguard forests and timber resources. Teams conducted operations in various districts and forest divisions, sealing illegal activities:
- In Sialkot, 24 illegal sawmills were sealed in Bajwat and Chaprar areas.
- In Murree Forest Division, actions at six locations resulted in the sealing of three illegal timber factories and nine sawmills.
- Attock witnessed the sealing of 10 illegal timber factories during operations at two sites.
- In Rawalpindi North, forest officials confiscated and sealed illegal machinery from various areas.
- Pindi Gheb saw the confiscation and sealing of four illegal sawmills and an illegal timber factory.
- In Chichawatni, operations targeted illegal sawmills and charcoal kilns, leading to the sealing of unauthorized installations.
- Layyah witnessed the demolition of seven illegal charcoal kilns and 13 structures, along with the sealing of an illegal sawmill.
- In Murree’s Chingwariyan area, an illegal sawmill was confiscated, and another was sealed in Dhir Kot.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized that illegal timber activities will not be tolerated. She highlighted the government’s commitment to forest conservation under Chief Minister Sharif’s vision, implementing a zero-tolerance policy for unauthorized logging and sawmill operations across Punjab.
