Kudremukh National Park area near Mutlupadi Pad Darchasu in Karkala, S.12, witnessed the illegal felling of more than nine large trees on Friday, prompting swift action by forest officials.
Criminal elements targeted valuable timber, including kiralu bogi and hebbalasu, estimating a worth exceeding ten lakh rupees. Using a crane, they attempted to load the felled trunks onto a lorry for transport.
Local residents observed the operation, raised objections, and demanded documentation. The perpetrators could not produce any permits, abandoned the cut trees on the spot and fled.
The wildlife department’s anti‑poaching camp, situated roughly seven hundred metres away, had deployed machinery to fell the trees, yet the forest department received no prior notice, fueling public outrage.
Images of the scene quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting forest officials to visit the site by evening. They secured the felled trees, retrieved them, and are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the lorry and crane involved.
Forest Range Forest Officer Arun confirmed that a case has been registered and legal proceedings will follow against those responsible.
Image for illustration purposes only
đź“° Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi