KADAPA: Over the past two to three months, the presence of Tamil smugglers in the forests of Kadapa district have dwindled. However, now, local residents are trying to cut down the red sanders trees. The officers have noticed that it has been steadily increasing since last two months.
Recognising this, the district forest and police officers have been scheduling a joint operation to restrain this practice.
The forest officials held three smugglers from Giddalur area of Prakasam district and seized 16 red sanders logs at Siddavatam forest area on Wednesday.
Three more smugglers were absconded from the spot. All of them were found to be locals who intentionally tried to cut and smuggle red sandal wood.
In an another incident, the forest officers noticed 12 smugglers cutting the red sandal trees in the forest while the officials were on a combing operations in Gadikota sector in Rayachoti.
When they were encountered by the forest staff, they left their axes and provisions on the spot and fled away. This happened on Thursday and the combing staff informed this to the higher authorities.
The forest officers are concerned about the local residents’ involvement increasing gradually. District conservator of forests M. Shivaprasad discussed this issue with superintendent of police Abhishek Mohanthi on Thursday morning.
They have planned a joint operation to curb the involvement of locals in red sandal smuggling and made 5 teams. These teams were deployed in strategic locations to rush to the spots. Both the officers are planning a joint visit to the forest areas. If the top officers conduct checks, it will create a fear among the local residents.
District conservator of forests Shiva Prasad said, while speaking to Deccan Chronicle, that 40 per cent staff posts are lying vacant. Out of 280 staff in all positions, who have to work in the district, only 150 members are working at present, he said.
The district conservator of forests expressed confidence to curb the smugglers’ movement in forests, with the help of police.
