The illegal operation of hundreds of sawmills under the Laksam circle of the Cumilla Income Tax and Forest Department is causing massive revenue evasion. In Laksam, Nangalkot, the newly formed Lalmayi, Barura, and Monohorgonj upazilas, unregistered sawmills have sprung up unchecked.
The local Forest Department seems to have no concern about it. Since Forester Zonal Officer Moazzem Hossain Shipon took charge of this area, the presence of the Forest Department has virtually disappeared. While only a handful of sawmills in the urban areas are registered, even those reportedly obtained their licenses in exchange for hefty bribes.
Most of the sawmill businesses in the region are allegedly run with the collusion of Forest Department officials and the local administration, acting on a commission-based system. Meanwhile, those responsible for ensuring the collection of government revenue appear to play no active role in the matter.
Multiple sources in the southern part of the district reported that these illegal sawmills have mushroomed in blatant violation of government rules and regulations, right under the nose of the local administration. As per official regulations, sawmills are required to obtain municipal/union trade licenses, no-objection certificates, environmental clearances, forest department certifications, industrial permits, and a certificate from the Deputy Commissioner. However, owners of these mills are ignoring these requirements altogether. Although the Forest Department and other relevant agencies are supposed to supervise these matters, their silence raises questions.
On the other hand, Forest Department officials are reportedly pocketing hundreds of thousands of taka by staging mock tenders to sell trees from government-managed old roadside plantations. As a result, the very existence of the Forest Department in the area is under threat.
Sources further revealed that many of these sawmills are located near upazila headquarters, marketplaces, educational institutions, roadsides, and even adjacent to hospitals and clinics. The dust, husk, and ash from these operations are polluting the environment and endangering public health. Due to corruption within the Forest Department and other agencies, no action is taken to stop this, turning them into silent spectators.
Every year, the local Forest Department officials seem to play a deceptive game while collecting a huge amount of money under the guise of revenue. Taking advantage of the local administration’s inaction and muscle power, the sawmill owners continue their illegal operations without fear. Additionally, numerous furniture stores have joined this large-scale tax evasion under the cover of the same Forest Department’s negligence.
These sawmills and furniture shops are heavily involved in the night-time trade of illegally felled roadside trees and smuggled foreign timber. There is no correlation between the actual number of these businesses and the official list maintained by the Forest Department.
Sources also claim that the situation in rural areas of the upazilas and municipalities is eight to ten times worse than in the urban centers. Obtaining legal documentation such as income tax certification and permissions from relevant departments is expensive and time-consuming, compounded by the harassment from Forest officials. Hence, most owners prefer to run their businesses illegally.
With the sincere efforts of mobile courts, the Income Tax Office, and the Environment Department, hundreds of sawmills and furniture shops in this region could be brought under official regulation. However, several sawmill and furniture store owners in greater Laksam declined to comment on the issue. Some stated that they have been in the business for a long time and never faced any problems. If someone from the relevant offices comes for inspection, their association leaders handle it swiftly. Local administration and media have little role to play here.
It is estimated that this region has around 500 sawmills and over a thousand furniture stores. Attempts to contact Forester Zonal Officer Moazzem Hossain Shipon on his mobile phone for a comment were unsuccessful, despite multiple efforts.
