HASSAN: Ramadevarahalla state forest, rich in sandalwood trees, has witnessed rampant smuggling of this precious wood in recent days.
Expressing dissatisfaction over lack of action by the staff of forest department, villagers of Sampigemaradahalli, a village neighbouring the forest, told Deccan Chronicle on Saturday that though guards maintain a vigil, smugglers manage to axe sandalwood trees at night.
Similar complaints were made by villagers of Rayapura and Sigge Halli, both in the vicinity of the sprawling 3,670 hectare forest. They alleged that men from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh sneak in and bring down sandalwood trees at night, even those which line the route inside the forest. Forest guards, however, maintained that they have dealt with smugglers ruthlessly.
“We are dealing with smugglers with a firm hand. About six months back, we arrested Balaiahan and two others from Tamil Nadu for smuggling sandalwood from the forest.” They also recalled how one smuggler was shot dead by them a couple of years ago inside Ramadevarahalla forest.
Range Forest Officer (RFO), Belur, Ravi said: “Our personnel keep a watch over the forest area, but we will tighten the vigil to stop smuggling of sandalwood.”
