Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Aug 29: Forest wealth is being stolen by thieves from Shiradi, Shibaje and other reserve forests that fall under the limits of Uppinangady forest zone. Huge trees are cut unabated say the locals.

Locals say that the cutting of jackfruit, teakwood and other trees is done in the night and by morning, all the felled trees are transported by vehicles in the form of logs. Nirana to Kurumbu forest area of Shibaje, Arampade Bootamajalu to Upper Kurunja and Kallaje in Perla to Kolakebailu are the areas which are worst affected.

The thieves arrive by tempo and tree cutting machine. The tree is felled right from the root and logs are made. The branches are left in the forest which are taken as firewood after four days. Later, petrol is poured on the root to destroy the evidence.

Kuriakose, a nearby villager says, “Trees are being cut near the house of the forest personnel. It seems that the forest guards and officers are in hand in glove with the tree smugglers. Senior officials have to investigate the matter and preserve the forest.”

A week ago two huge jackfruit trees that were within a stone’s throw from the residence of a forest officer were cut a week ago and transported.

Antony Mariyappa, deputy conservator of forest says, “Two cases of tree cutting were reported from Shibaje and Shishila. In one case, the trees were about to fall on the house, hence they had cut the tree. In another case, they wanted to plant arecanut saplings, and so the trees were cut. In both the cases, the wooden logs are confiscated and case is registered. I do not have any information with regards to Shiradi. I visited Uppinangady forest range two days ago. If new cases emerge, I will look into them.”