MIAN CHANNU: The Punjab Forest Department has intensified enforcement against unregistered sawmills and timber-related businesses following the government’s measures to strengthen registration and licensing requirements under the provincial forest laws and rules.
During an enforcement operation in Mian Channu tehsil, the Forest Department team sealed five sawmills for violations.
The operation was led by Forest Protection Officer Mian Channu Tehsil Owais Mahmood Khan, with Inspector Forest Irfan Nazir and Forest Rangers Muhammad Arshad and Muhammad Shahid participating in the action.
According to the department, the drive is aimed at ensuring compliance with the applicable forest laws and regulations governing sawmills and timber depots. The Punjab Forest Department’s current Forest Depot Rules 2024 provide for registration of sawpits, sawmills, charcoal kilns and timber or firewood depots.
Owais Mahmood Khan said violations of forest laws would not be tolerated and that enforcement action would continue across the tehsil without discrimination.
The Forest Department said such regulatory measures are intended to strengthen oversight of the timber trade and support the protection and sustainable management of forest resources.
Punjab’s Forest Department lists implementation of forestry laws, protection and conservation of forests and sustainable management of timber and other forest resources among its key functions.
