Theft of sandalwood trees is on the rise in Gajapati district raising a finger of suspicion at the duty of the Forest Department.
Earlier, the wood mafias were reported to have cut and stolen sandalwood trees worth lakhs of rupees in broad daylight from the forests of the district. But no efforts seem to have been made by the concerned department to curb this illegal activity and loss to the State exchequer.
The sandalwood mafias have become more active in
R Udayagiri block of the district filching two trees recently. As the forest ranger’s post in this block has remained vacant for the last one year, the other employees are callous towards their duty.
Moreover, the disruption in power supply in the wake of cyclone Phailin has further encouraged the mafias in stealing valuable trees.
locals have been expressing deep resentment over the lack of departmental efforts in curbing the menace and demanding intervention of the higher authorities in this regard.