Boinda: Timber mafia has become active in remote dense forested pockets of Dhandatopa range under Athamallik block of Angul district. This has raised concern among the local residents.
For the last few days, the mafia has been chopping down valuable trees in Bipradiha, Kansab, Korab, Maimura and Kenchuanali forests.
People of Maimura village brought the matter to the notice of the District Collector Saturday.
They alleged that the timber mafia has become active in these forested areas and is supplying timber on a daily basis while no action is being taken against the wrongdoers.
“Local mafia in league with timber traders from other areas has been running the racket. They are targeting teak wood trees in dense forests. After cutting down trees, they are stocking the timbers in secret places before supplying them in luxury vehicles to evade the glare of the enforcement agencies,” the villagers said.
They lamented that this has been happening for the last two months, but the forest department is sitting pretty.
Forest cover in these areas has been thinning. The villagers alleged that such illegal activities are not possible without the tacit support of some unscrupulous forest officials.
“If nothing is done to check the rampant tree felling, forests in the region will vanish,” they said.
They demanded stern action against the timber mafia along with stepping up the vigil in these forests.
PNN