Thirty trees stolen in two months

Nearly thirty sandalwood trees have reportedly been stolen over the past two months from Vamala and Thekkady areas under Kollengode forest range in Nenmara Forest Division, Palakkad, Keralam. No arrests have been made.

Case registered for six trees

Sanoop K.C., Range Forest Officer at Kollengode, said a case was registered on Tuesday over the felling of six sandalwood trees under Thekkady forest station.

More trees felled at Kottamala

Reports show around twenty five sandalwood and other trees were allegedly cut at Kottamala during the past week, including five sandalwood trees in a single day. The figures are yet to be officially verified.

Wildlife trust demands inquiry

Animals and Nature Ethics Community Trust, a wildlife conservation organisation, has demanded an inquiry into the reported thefts and suspected illegal felling, citing concerns over forest protection and possible lapses in enforcement.

Trust seeks detailed documentation

ANEC Trust has called for a review of incidents at Vattayarmadakku and sought reports clearly documenting location, tree species, numbers, stump measurements, photographs and GPS details for all cases.

Questions about earlier incident

ANEC Trust seeks details of a tree felling incident at Vattayarmadakku around two years ago, after which some forest personnel were reportedly suspended, and wants clarification on case status and departmental inquiry.

Calls for inter-state coordination

As Vattayarmadakku is reportedly near Anamalai Tiger Reserve boundary and accessible from Tamil Nadu, ANEC Trust has called for inter-state coordination if evidence points to movement of people or timber across the border.

Trust demands credible response

Santhosh T.S., legal representative of ANEC Trust, said repeated sandalwood theft cannot be treated as minor incidents without proper verification and the public deserves a credible, evidence-based and time-bound response.

“Repeated reports of sandalwood theft cannot be treated as minor or unrelated incidents without proper verification.”