Meeyaru forest reserve infested with major log theft

Meeyaru forest reserve infested with major log theft

Mangalore Today News Network

UPPINANGADY, Aug 13, 2014:   While  the forest department and other organisations are observing Vana Mahotsava to boost afforestation, smuggling of trees is rampant in the reserve forest areas in the district.

The latest case has come to light at Kalenja village in Meeyaru Reserve Forest limits. Two giant wild jack fruit trees are victims of smugglers. Though the smugglers fell the trees using machines, they did not transport the logs on the same day apparently due to heavy rain.  According to sources, the smugglers are said to have cut the trees and had arranged  to transportat  them the next  night, as they could not transport on the same day.

Villagers who suspected the illegal activity, informed the forest department and prevented the wooden logs to be  transported . The smugglers, escaped from the spot, perhaps due to the prior information they received from the forest department sources, the villagers suspect.

However, the forest department officials who visited the spot  are said to have told the villagers that the tree belonged to a private property which is located adjacent to the reserve forest. The department has given permission for felling the trees and nobody should raise objection to this.  The matters need proper investigation.