Gangtok, June 9 -- The Forest Department has strongly rejected allegations of administrative negligence in connection with the alleged large-scale illegal tree felling in parts of the sikkim forest, stating that action had already been initiated before the issue came into the public domain.

According to the department, the first complaint regarding illegal timber transportation in the Namchi Territorial Range was received on May 29. Following the complaint, an independent team from the Gangtok Territorial Division was deputed to carry out verification, search and seizure operations.

Officials stated that large quantities of sawn timber were recovered from forest areas, villages and commercial establishments. The seized timber reportedly...