Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 May 2025
In a significant enforcement action, officials of the Mobile Squad Range, in coordination with the Garacharma Range of the South Andaman Forest Division, seized a substantial quantity of illegally possessed Padauk timber from a furniture unit in Dollygunj on Thursday morning.
The routine patrolling operation, led by Forest Guard Ms. Abida Bibi of the Mobile Squad Range, uncovered 44 pieces of hand-sawn Padauk wood measuring 0.506 cubic meters at M/s Raju Furniture Mart. The timber, classified as Category I(A), was found without valid documentation during a thorough inspection of the premises.
The team comprised Forest Guards Mr. John Chrisostom (Mobile Squad Range) and Mr. Jagdeep Lall (Garacharma Range), along with support staff including Mr. Ganesh Sahu, Mr. Paul Mark, Mr. Vishal Minj, and other mazdoors from the Garacharma Range.
Upon discovering the unaccounted timber, the team interrogated the staff of the furniture unit, who failed to produce any valid transit permits or records. Following a detailed search, all the illegally held timber was seized on the spot.
One individual was arrested in connection with the violation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Produce Transit Rule, 1966 under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. He was later released on bail by the Range Officer of Garacharma.
Forest officials have initiated further investigation to trace the source of the illegal timber and are working to determine if a broader network is involved.
The Forest Department has urged the public to report any information related to illegal forest or wildlife activities by contacting the helpline number 03192-255228. The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.