Jhumpura: Cutting down of teak trees is rampant at Balibandha section jungle under Bamebari forest of Champua forest range in Keonjhar district. Illegal wood mafias have turned the forest to a timber depot. Although the forest department is aware of the fact, no action is being taken to check the felling of trees, it was alleged.
The inaction of forest officials have resulted in depletion of the forest area. The dense forest at Kanakana, Jaipur, Haridajodi, Brahmanijhari and Kutugaon areas under Balibandha forest range are on the verge of deforestation.
The forest is the natural habitat of elephants, bears, deers and black bucks and they are straying into human settlements in search of food due to the deforestation, reports said.
Special timber depot has been built at Basantpur, Kanakana, Kaliapal and Kutugaon villages. The mafias cut sal and teak trees down and store the timber in these depots.
On the other hand, trees are being abundantly cut down to use the timber in the construction of bridge centering, houses and culverts. Contractor engaged in these works rampantly cut down the trees for their interest.
Even though forest officials were apprised by the locals about this, they have turned a blind eye towards their complaints.
Balibandha forester Bidyadhar Sahoo said, “We are conducting raids whenever we receive information regarding illegal cutting of trees and timber smuggling.”
PNN