Chikkamagaluru/Banakal
An incident of tree theft has been discovered at the Guddahatti forest plantation within Mudigere range, Chikkamagaluru district, with forest department personnel allegedly involved. The theft involved multiple acacia trees from survey number 254.
Reports suggest forest personnel transported the felled trees to a Banakal sawmill. Mudigere Range Forest Officer Kavya has confiscated the stolen timber from the sawmill premises and launched an enquiry.
According to the sawmill proprietor’s statement, forest personnel delivered the trees requesting their modification. Community members assert this occurrence is not unique, suggesting forest personnel regularly participate in unauthorised tree removal and illegal timber trade, betraying their conservation duties.
Residents are seeking legal action against the implicated personnel. They highlight the department’s double standards – prosecuting farmers for tree felling whilst appearing to protect their staff engaged in similar activities.
This episode has damaged the forest department’s standing, with residents urging the forest minister and senior officials to implement strict measures against involved personnel and ensure forest preservation.
The trees including in the MPM plantation being removed currently, the department harvesting golden crop.
