HYDERABAD: The forest department officials seized Rs 40 lakh illegal timber in their raids on tribal hamlets.
According to the report published in Times of India, in Bhadradri-Kothagudam district, forest officials had raided and seized illegal timber logs.
“A case was booked and the persons involved in the smuggling of the wood would be arrested,” said an official.
P Rambabu, Kothegudem district forest officer said, “We have been conducting raids since one month and seized teakwood worth Rs 40 lakh from Gothi Koya villages.”
Following a tip off about the destroying of forest land by tribals, the forest officials swung into action and recovered teak and rosewood logs.
“Rehabilitation and resettlement of Gothi Koyas was the need of the hour to protect forest and wildlife,” he added.
The Gothi Koyas were migrated to Telangana from Chhattisgarh and they occupy forest land by felling trees.
The officials also warned villagers against smuggling timber, saying that they would be penalised.