Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 18 January 2025
Acting on a tip-off, the Forest Department officials of the Tushnabad Range conducted a night patrolling operation in the early hours of Thursday (16th January 2025), resulting in the detection and seizure of illegal timber in the Caddlegunj Forest area within the Brindaban-Port Mout Reserved Forest Block-I.
The operation, led by Forest Guard Mr. Anthony-II, was supported by team members Mr. S. Ramesh, Mazdoor; Mr. Abdul Aziz, Mazdoor; Mr. K. Hussainar, Mazdoor; and Mr. Prasanta Das, DRM. Despite the challenges posed by darkness, the team carried out a thorough search of the forest and discovered a site where two individuals were engaged in converting logs into sawn timber.
Upon spotting the officials, the offenders fled the scene under the cover of darkness. Despite a chase by the forest team, they managed to escape.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 14 pieces of hand-sawn Padauk timber, totalling 0.291 cubic meters in volume, along with tools and utensils used in the illegal activity. Efforts are currently underway to apprehend the absconding culprits.
This successful operation highlights the commitment of the Forest Department to protecting the region’s natural resources and combating illegal activities in the Andaman forests.