3 held for smuggling khair wood to Punjab

The Forest Department has intensified its efforts to curb illegal tree felling following the state government’s blanket ban on green felling from private land. In a recent operation, the department seized a pick-up jeep (HP 38B-2545) loaded with illegally cut khair logs during a night naka at Ulaharian-Talwara link road under the Indora forest range early Thursday morning.

The jeep, en route to Talwara in Punjab, was intercepted by a forest team led by Abhinav Thakur, Deputy Range Officer, Indora. The driver attempted to flee but lost control, causing the vehicle to hit a roadside tree and overturn. Upon inspection, the occupants failed to provide documentation for the transportation of the khair logs.

Nurpur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Amit Sharma confirmed that this is the first time the department has arrested alleged smugglers without police assistance. The accused were presented in Indora court and placed in three days’ forest custody. A case has been registered under Sections 41-42 and 32-33 of the Indian Forest Act (IFA) and the Biodiversity Act.

The department has also impounded the vehicle under Section 52 of the IFA. The vehicle will be subjected to confiscation proceedings in the DFO’s court, as the department is authorised to handle prosecution independently in civil court.

The arrested individuals include jeep driver Govind from Damtal (who lacked a driving licence) and two other occupants, Rakesh Singh of Kotla Mangwal and Vishal from Damtal. Preliminary investigations revealed that the khair logs were being illegally transported to Punjab for sale to a private buyer in Talwara.