The Nrusinghnath Peeth and Vanaushadhi area under Paikmal block under Padmapur sub-division in Bargarh district are rich forested areas, besides being a popular tourist attraction in western Odisha. Locals have been demanding the overall development of the spot for the past three decades, but in vain.
Of late, no-holds-barred smuggling of trees and the silence of the forest Department have spread public resentment in the area. Although a some forest staff have been assigned for the conservation and maintenance of the forest, but they don’t do their work properly. For the past two months, the theft of trees from the Gandhamardhan forest has been going on regularly, as evidenced by the roots of the trees.
The trees stolen include valuable shishu, sandalwood, sal and teak varieties. Despite repeated smuggling of forest resources, the department however has been silent for reasons best known to its authorities.
In the past two months, trees have been felled and smuggled in large numbers. Even two sandalwood trees have been stolen from the Forest Department Range Office premises. This has raised a finger at the functioning of the Rangers and Foresters.
From Khandijharan to Georgegarh, massive trees have been stolen as confirmed by GSP tracking. The attractions of the Nrsinghnath Peeth are its natural environment, forest, ever-flowing springs and Marzarkeshari temple. However, the massive smuggling of trees from its forest has been a cause of concern. The incompetence of the forest staff has shocked the people.
Since there is no written complaint in any of the tree felling and smuggling cases, it has deepened suspicion on working of a rocket in connivance with some unscrupulous forest staff, said sources.
Many teak trees in the vicinity of the Paikmal police station too have also been cut down.