Gangtok Forest Division Seizes Illegal Timber, Recovers Rs 4.45 Lakh Penalty
A late-night interception near Ranka led to the seizure of illegally transported timber and recovery of a Rs 4.45 lakh penalty by the Gangtok Territorial Forest
The Gangtok Territorial Forest Division has recovered Rs 4,45,000 as government revenue after seizing an illegal consignment of timber in East Sikkim. The case followed a late-night interception near Ranka, where the department acted on information received from public sources about the illicit movement of forest produce through the area.
Interception near Ranka catches illegal transport
The department said a night patrol team from the Gangtok Range conducted a planned check based on the tip. The operation took place on July 3 at around 9:00 PM near Khelground at Reshithang Bridge, Ranka. During the inspection, the patrol team stopped a vehicle that was carrying timber and verified details on the spot.
The officials found that the timber consignment was being moved without a valid transit permit, which is required for transporting forest produce in Sikkim. The logs also did not carry the official timber hammer mark, the government stamp used to indicate that timber has been legally sourced and cleared for movement. With both conditions missing, the department treated the cargo as illegal.
Case registered, offence compounded under state law
After the inspection, the vehicle and the entire timber consignment were seized and kept in safe custody at the Range Office, Forest Colony, Baluwakhani, Gangtok. A forest offence case was then registered under the Sikkim Forests, Water Courses and River Reserve (Preservation and Protection) Act, 1988. The department stated that the accused admitted to the offence and requested that the matter be compounded.
Under the provision for compounding, the competent authority accepted the request and compounded the offence under Section 74 of the Act. A penalty of Rs 4,45,000 was imposed, and the amount has been realised as government revenue. The department also highlighted that the action began with community input, and it urged the public to share information about forest offences.
The Forest and Environment Department said citizens can report such offences or seek assistance through its toll-free helpline, 1926.
