SHILLONG: The government will soon notify rules for incorporation in the existing Meghalaya Forest Regulation Act 1973 to ban felling of trees for charcoal manufacturing, especially in West Khasi Hills, which is one of the major causes of depletion of the State forest cover. According to official sources, local industries use most of the charcoal illegally manufactured in the State. The industries require 71.724 metric tonnes of charcoal annually to run at full capacity. Most of the 16000 square kilometres of forest areas of Meghalaya is under district councils over which the State Government has little control. Only 1000 square kilometres of forests is under the State Forest Department. As per the new rules, which will also be applicable to forest areas under district councils, only people obtaining licences from the Forest and Environment Department will be able to manufacture charcoal from fallen trees and those earmarked by the department for domestic use. Registered charcoal-manufacturing firms will be allowed to sell charcoal to local industries. The industries would have to indent the charcoal used and the sources it is taken from. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) VK Nautiyal on Thursday said the draft rules on banning of charcoal manufacturing had already been submitted to the State Government for inclusion in the Meghalaya Forest Regulation Act 1973. He pointed out that rampant felling of trees for charcoal manufacturing continued not only in West Khasi Hills but also in catchment areas of Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS), forest areas near David Scott Trail at Mawphlang and many parts of Ri-Bhoi district. Mr Nautiyal said the government was also trying to encourage people to go for bamboo-charcoal.