Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 21 November 2024
A team of Forest Officials on routine patrolling in the John Lawrence Islands, located under the Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, uncovered a significant amount of illegally hand sawn timber.
On 14th November, the team, led by Deputy Ranger Mr. S. Satish, Foresters Mr. Dhanaroopan and Mr. Eswar Hemraon, and Forest Guards Mr. Amitava Hawalader, Mr. Aneeth Anand Raj, and Mr. Adom, discovered 239 pieces of hardwood timber, measuring 4.012 cubic meters, stacked in the jungle’s interior on the northeastern side of the island.
Continuing their patrol on 18th November, the team uncovered an additional 35 pieces of illegally collected hand sawn timber, measuring 1.034 cubic meters, from a different part of John Lawrence Island.
The timber has since been brought to the Divisional Headquarters and secured. Despite efforts, the offenders have not been identified, and investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible.
The operation was conducted under the direction of Ms. Lata Hegde Prasad, Divisional Forest Officer of Swaraj Dweep. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding illegal activities in the region to contact the Divisional Forest Officer at 03192-220042 or 9434262102.