Residents Protest Against Illegal Tree Felling in Tiloinagar

Residents of Tiloinagar are protesting against the illegal felling of several decades-old trees, demanding accountability from local authorities. Despite complaints lodged, no action has been taken against those responsible for the tree cutting. The community is raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection and is determined to continue their peaceful protests until concrete steps are taken. The incident has sparked widespread discussion about the role of local institutions in conservation efforts and the need for transparency from the authorities regarding the status of their complaints.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 29, 2026, 16:15 IST

Community Outcry Over Tree Cutting

Jorhat, May 29: In a notable demonstration, the residents of Tiloinagar in Moran have initiated a protest to demand accountability for the alleged unlawful cutting of several mature trees. They accuse local authorities of inaction despite multiple complaints regarding the matter.

The protest involved placing banners and posters on the stumps of the trees that were cut down, which reportedly included six large trees, each around 70 years old, near Swami Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya in Tiloinagar.

Local residents assert that the trees were felled on the evening of May 26 without the necessary permissions from the Forest Department or local authorities.

This incident has sparked significant anger among the community, who believe these trees were vital to the area's green landscape. Following the protests, officials from the Forest Department and police visited the site, confiscating the stumps of the felled trees.

Additionally, forest officials seized timber associated with the incident, including wood found at a mill in Gajpuriya. However, residents express frustration that while the timber was quickly seized, no action has been taken against those responsible for the tree cutting.

A complaint was lodged with the Khowang Regional Forest Officer's office on the night of the incident, urging action against the individuals involved in the tree felling. Yet, residents claim that no punitive measures have been initiated to date.

On Friday, the protesters escalated their efforts by placing posters on the stumps and demanding accountability from the authorities.

A local youth participating in the protest stated that the trees were removed without legal authorization and called for immediate action against the perpetrators.

"Numerous valuable old trees were cut down without the Forest Department's consent. The community has voiced strong opposition and filed a formal complaint, yet we have seen no repercussions for those responsible. We demand that individuals involved in the illegal tree cutting in a public area face legal consequences," he stated.

Expressing frustration over the lack of action, he emphasized that the protest would persist until the authorities take definitive steps.

"We are currently conducting a peaceful protest by showcasing banners and raising public awareness. If no action is taken, we will have no choice but to escalate our efforts. This issue transcends the loss of a few trees; it is about environmental protection and enforcing laws designed to safeguard it," he added.

Another protester raised concerns about the involvement of an educational institution in this controversy.

"It is disheartening that an institution dedicated to teaching students about environmental conservation is implicated in the cutting down of decades-old trees. Such actions send a detrimental message and undermine efforts to promote conservation awareness among youth," he remarked.

The incident has ignited widespread dialogue in the community, with many residents seeking clarity on the status of their complaint and the actions taken by the Forest Department.