India, March 6 -- People's organisations and environmental groups in Tinsukia district have welcomed the recent reshuffle in the State Forest Department, saying the move follows months of public concern over the functioning of the Doomdooma Forest Division.

Activists said the transfer of officials has brought a sense of relief among residents and environmental groups that had repeatedly flagged alleged administrative lapses, weak enforcement and irregularities affecting forest protection in the division.

Organisations and concerned citizens from Digboi, Pengaree, Philobari and Kakopather had for months sought administrative intervention, alleging that a series of anomalies and instances of official incompetence had weakened efforts to s...