Bhubaneswar: The Forest Wing of Odisha Vigilance unearthed two illegal sawmills operating in Habiganja and Jamunia villages under Basta police station in Balasore district.
The raid resulted in the seizure of sawmill accessories, a vehicle bearing registration number OD11-S-8381, and 50 cubic feet of valuable timber worth Rs 13,87,000.
Investigations revealed that the sawmills were operating without valid licenses, violating Section 4 of the Orissa Sawmill and Sawpit (Control) Act, 1991.¹ Consequently, two forest cases were registered, and the matter is currently under investigation.