In defiance of the existing rules, two saw mills are being set up by
influential businessmen at Uttar Rabirbazar in Kulaura upazila of the
district.
Forest department sources said in case of getting permission to set up
a saw mill, an application has to be submitted to the local Divisional
Forest Official (DFO) and then after scrutiny, the DFO gives
permission for the same for one year term on renewal condition.
Afterwards, the letter with the permission has to be submitted to the
power office to get permission for electricity connection.
As per the Saw Mills Rules- 1998, no saw mill can be established 10
kilometers inside the reserve forest and one kilometer inside sadar
upazila.
But the two saw mills are being set up by some local influential
people defying the rules even not submitting any application to the
local DFO.
DFO Abul Bashar Miah of Sylhet said he did not give permission for
setting up the two saw mills in the upazila and directed to stop their
works immediately.
Otherwise, necessary actions would be taken against the owners, he added.
(UNB, Maulvibazar)
