Assam Government has decided go all out to protect the forest wealth of the state. It will arm the forest guards with sophisticated weapons like AK-47 rifles and SLRs to fight poachers and protect wildlife. Besides, all district forest officials have been instructed to ensure immediate closure of all illegal saw mills. The Government has also warned of taking stern action against those officials who do not follow the instructions. State Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said this while addressing the senior forest officials in Guwahati. He said Assam Government has made an amendment to the Forest Act recognizing the forest force at par with the police. He said all forest staff up to the level of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) will now be able to use fire arms. The Minister also said the Forest Department has prepared a scheme to plant one lakh 68 thousand saplings in about 11,000 hectares of forest and non-forest lands across the state by involving non-governmental organizations, civil society and the school children.