SYLHET, Sept 1, 2025 (BSS) - The Forest Department will strengthen its drives against illegal sawmills set up in Sylhet division aiming to prevent tree logging in forests.

"A total of 951 illegal sawmills have been evicted in the Sylhet division since August 2016...The Forest Department will strengthen its drives against the illegal sawmills here," Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Md Humayun Kabir told BSS. 

According to data of the Forest Department, there are 231 illegal sawmills in Sylhet division, which are being operated currently without licence.

Of those, 119 illegal sawmills remain operational in Sylhet, while 36 sawmills in Sunamganj, 62 in Habiganj and 14 in Moulvibazar.

Besides, writ petitions are underway against 135 sawmills in court while 324 cases are going on against sawmill owners.

Humayun Kabir said the Forest Department evicted three illegal sawmills in Sylhet division in July last and one sawmill in August this year.

According to the Forest Department's data, there are now 811 legal sawmills in Sylhet division.