HALDWANI/KASHIPUR: Forest department officials operating in Gulzarpur forest area of Udham Singh Nagar district's Terai West division continue to deny the increasing menace of timber smuggling in the area, even as locals claim to have spotted hundreds of trees being felled illegally.
"We always keep an eye out for any illegal activity and verify complaints received. An inquiry hads been ordered into the latest incident and report will be submitted within three days. Officers from the department and other patrolling parties are actively involved in vigilance against poaching and timber smuggling in the area," said Rahul divisional forest officer, Tarai West.
Residents claim to have spotted people cutting trees in the region many times and complaining to the forest department.
Timber smugglers are operational mostly after sunset or at dawn, before the sun rises, villagers said, adding that they come in groups of four or five and chop down two-three trees in one go. "They carry the trees on their shoulders and avoid using vehicles," locals also said.
The miscreants have their eyes mostly on sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) and teak (Tectona grandis) trees planted in plot numbers eight and ten. Both varieties are known for superior quality of timber that can be modeled into furniture. A single tree can fetch prices as high as Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,00,000 in the market.
While forest officials say no one is allowed to enter the forest area without permission, locals allege the officials themselves of involvement in the malpractice.
However, the department summarily dismissed all such allegations.
