Vehicle carrying illegal khair wood seized in Yamunanagar

A team of the Wildlife Department has seized a vehicle loaded with logs of illegal khair wood in Yamunanagar district. Forest guard Hukam Chand, incharge of Chikkan beat, received a tip-off around 7.30 pm on January 19 about a Scorpio car being loaded with the illegal wood at Khilanwala village. Based on the information, a team of the Department set up a naka near the bridge of Shahjadwala village.

“Around 8 pm, a vehicle was spotted approaching from the Banyawala village route. When signalled to stop, the vehicle attempted to speed away. The team members chased the vehicle and the riders abandoned it to flee under the cover of darkness, leaving the consignment behind,” said Lilu Ram, Inspector, Wildlife Department. The vehicle, loaded with khair wood, was brought to the department office at Kalesar and seized, he added.

“A detailed log list prepared by the Department revealed that the seized timber comprised 25 pieces of khair wood,” said Ram, adding that inspection of the forest area led to the recovery of four freshly cut khair stumps in Khillanwala forest area, confirming illegal felling.

“An FIR had been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Such operations will continue to curb forest crimes and protect natural habitats from organised timber smugglers,” said Ram.