Probe sought into suspected theft of 30 sandalwood trees from Nenmara forest in Keralam

Sandalwood trees (file image)

Nearly 30 sandalwood trees have reportedly been stolen over the past two months from the Vamala and Thekkady areas under the Kollengode forest range in the Nenmara Forest Division in Palakkad, Keralam. No arrests have been made so far.

Sanoop K.C., Range Forest Officer, Kollengode, said a case was registered on Tuesday over the felling of six sandalwood trees under the Thekkady forest station. The Divisional Forest Officer, Nenmara, could not be reached for comment.

Reports of further illegal tree felling have emerged from Kottamala, where around 25 sandalwood and other trees were allegedly cut during the past week, including five sandalwood trees in a single day. The figures are yet to be officially verified.

The Animals and Nature Ethics Community (ANEC) Trust, a wildlife conservation and environmental organisation, has demanded an inquiry into the reported thefts and suspected illegal felling, citing concerns over forest protection and possible lapses in enforcement.

The trust has also sought a review of a reported incident at Vattayarmadakku, where a mahazar (official site inspection record) has reportedly been prepared for submission before the court. It has called for the report to clearly document the location, tree species and numbers, stump measurements, photographs and GPS details.

ANEC Trust has further sought details of an earlier tree-felling incident at Vattayarmadakku, around two years ago, after which some forest personnel were reportedly suspended. It wants the authorities to clarify the status of the case, any departmental inquiry and the action taken to prevent a recurrence.

The trust has urged the Forest Department to examine patrol records, beat books and other official documents to determine whether forest staff carried out their assigned duties. It has also called for a review of sandalwood-related offences reported in the division over the past five years, including case registration, investigation progress, arrests, seizures, recoveries and departmental action.

The exact location and jurisdiction of the Vattayarmadakku incident should also be verified, the trust said. As the area is reportedly near the Anamalai Tiger Reserve boundary and accessible from Tamil Nadu, it has called for inter-State coordination if evidence points to the movement of people or timber across the border.

ANEC Trust has urged the government to appoint a senior officer unconnected with the cases to conduct the inquiry. It has also sought the preservation of evidence, including inspection reports, photographs, GPS records, forest maps, patrol registers and timber-transport documents.

“Repeated reports of sandalwood theft cannot be treated as minor or unrelated incidents without proper verification,” said Santhosh T.S., legal representative of the trust.

“If substantiated, these incidents represent a serious loss of forest resources and raise questions about the effectiveness of forest protection and enforcement. The public deserves a credible, evidence-based and time-bound response,” he said.