Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Apr 22: In a major crackdown, officials of the Beltangady range forest department have seized timber and machinery used for illegal logging inside the reserved forest area of Melantabettu village.

Based on credible information, a team led by Beltangady Range Forest Officer (RFO) Thyagaraj T M conducted a raid on the evening of April 16 and seized illegally felled trees and equipment. Following approval from the Beltangady court, a case was registered at the Beltangady forest department on April 19.

During the raid, officials confiscated 14.5 metres of timber of various species, valued at approximately Rs 3 lac. Additionally, one Hitachi machine worth Rs 30 lac, a wood-cutting machine worth Rs 60,000, and an iron chain worth Rs 15,000 were seized. The total value of the seized property is estimated at Rs 33.75 lac.

A case has been filed against the prime accused, Prakash Poojary, a resident of Donkabettu in Naravi village, and Karunakar Bhandari, the owner and operator of the Hitachi machine, from Nuralettu village in Karkala taluk. The forest department has issued notices to both accused to appear for investigation.

RFO Thyagaraj T M, DRFOs K Ravindra Naik and Sandeep (special task force), forest guard Parashuram, patrol forest guard Pratap, and vehicle driver Kushalappa Gowda were part of the operation. The investigation is currently ongoing.