Bhubaneswar, May 22: The Chandaka forest division has launched a drive against sawmills operating in its jurisdiction.

On the first day of the drive today, the officials visited three sawmills and found one of them operating without a valid licence. The forest officials have detained one person

“We have seized equipment used for cutting timber. We will go through the documents tomorrow and further action will be initiated after they are verified,” said assistant conservator of Chandaka forest division Sasmita Lenka.

She said the drive would continue and the officials would also crack down on furniture-making units.