(a) whether the number of organized gangs engaged in the smuggling of timber has been on the rise during the last five years;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken against them; and
(c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to check this illegal activity.
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a) to (c) There is no report with the Central Government that the number of organised gangs engaged in the smuggling of timber is on the rise during the last five years. However, cases of illegal felling of trees and smuggling of timber are detected and action is taken by the State Government concerned under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and other relevant Acts and rules for the time being in force. In order to further consolidate the forest protection efforts, the Central Government has requested the State Governments to involve the local forest dwellers and people living in nearby villages in the protection, conservation and regeneration of forests, through the guidelines on Joint Forest Management issued to the State Government in June 1990 and further strengthened in February 2000 for protecting the forests through involvement of local people. The State Governments have also been requested by the Central Government to strengthen their forest protection machinery in order to deal with organised crime like smuggling and poaching in forest areas. During the Tenth Plan period, it is proposed to provide Central assistance to all the States for strengthening their forest protection machinery through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme `Integrated Forest Protection Scheme`. Under the scheme, funds will be provided for improving mobilty and communication network, arms and ammunitions, buildings for the field staff, training and awareness, preparation of working plans, survey and demarcation and prevention and control of forest fires.