Smuggling of valuable giant trees is rampant in last three month in Dhuanali and Damia Berbara reserved forests even though the forests are under the supervision of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for last two decades.
A timber mafia is active, especially after cyclone Phailin, as the State Government allowed private parties to lift uprooted trees on a joint verification basis by the local forester and sarpanch. As many as 10,000 teak and sal trees have vanished from forests as the cutting and smuggling is taking place even in broad day light. Ironically, no timber smuggler has been arrested during the period, whereas 187 persons were arrested and many carts and tractors were sized last year.