Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 6: Forest authorities have seized illegally sawn Padauk timber from a reserved forest in South Andaman and registered a case against unidentified offenders, as efforts continue to trace those involved in the suspected illegal felling and transportation of forest produce.
Acting on information received from a reliable source, a team from the Mobile Squad Range under the South Andaman Forest Division carried out an operation in the Chota Patther Ghum area under the Mile Tilak Reserved Forest, which falls within the jurisdiction of the Jirkatang Forest Range.
During the operation, the team detected 18 pieces of illegally sawn Padauk timber with a total volume of 0.545 cubic metres (CBM). However, no person was found at the site when the forest officials reached the location.
Following the recovery, the South Andaman Forest Division registered a case against an unknown offender under various provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The department stated that no offender could be traced at the scene during the operation.
Forest officials said efforts are underway to identify and trace those responsible using the available leads collected from the crime spot. The investigation is continuing to establish the identity of the offender and take further action in accordance with the law.
The South Andaman Forest Division has also appealed to the public to assist in protecting forest resources by reporting any suspicious activities related to the illegal extraction, storage or movement of forest and wildlife produce.
Members of the public can share information through the department’s helpline at 03192-255228. The Forest Division has assured that the identity of informants providing information on illegal forest-related activities will be kept confidential.
The seizure highlights the continuing enforcement efforts of the Forest Department to curb illegal activities inside reserved forests and safeguard protected natural resources through surveillance, field operations and public cooperation.
