Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 8: A routine patrol by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest and Environment Vigilance Squad (AFEVS) led to the seizure of illegally stored hardwood timber in the Reserve Forest area of Kala Pather, with officials launching an investigation to trace those responsible.
The operation was carried out during regular patrolling in the forest area, where the team detected sawn timber measuring approximately 0.494 cubic metres. Officials said the material, identified as superior hardwood, was found abandoned within the reserve forest limits, with no individuals present at the site at the time of detection.
The seized timber has been secured, and authorities have initiated legal proceedings under relevant forest laws. Officials indicated that the recovery points to possible illegal felling and storage activity within protected forest areas.
Preliminary findings suggest that the timber may have been concealed for later transportation. The manner in which the material was found indicates an attempt to evade detection and move the wood out of the forest at a later stage.
Following the seizure, the patrol team conducted an intensive search operation in the surrounding areas to locate those involved. However, no suspects were apprehended during the operation. Officials stated that efforts are ongoing to identify the individuals responsible for the illegal activity.
The case is currently under investigation, with authorities working to establish the source of the timber and the network involved in its extraction and intended movement. The incident highlights continued concerns over unauthorised activities in reserve forest areas, which are protected under law.
Forest officials emphasised that such patrols are part of ongoing monitoring efforts aimed at preventing illegal logging and safeguarding forest resources. The seizure forms part of enforcement measures to detect and deter unlawful exploitation of forest produce.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of organised involvement and are examining all available leads to determine how the timber was sourced and transported to the site.
