In a distressing incident near Udumalai, Tiruppur district, several sandalwood trees naturally grown near the Thangammal Oda starting point were illegally cut and smuggled, causing concern among local farmers and residents.
Coimbatore: The serene vicinity of Udumalai, near Ottukulam along the Thangammal Oda in Tiruppur district, has become the latest target of sandalwood smugglers.
Valuable sandalwood trees that grew naturally along the banks and agricultural lands near the water outlet have been unlawfully cut and smuggled by unidentified miscreants over the past few days.
The incident has sparked concern among the local farming community and residents, especially after multiple trees, some as old as 25 years and worth several lakhs, were removed from farmer Meghanathan's property last night.
Farmers in the area have reported that these priceless sandalwood trees are being cut down during the night using axes, and despite complaints to the police, they have been advised to consult with the forestry department for further action. This bureaucratic runaround has left the local agriculturalists in a state of unease, fearing for their safety and the protection of their crops.
In light of these events, farmers urge the integration of efforts between the forest department and police to safeguard the remaining sandalwood trees in the agricultural lands. They also call for immediate action to apprehend the culprits involved in this alarming trend of sandalwood smuggling, as it not only poses a significant financial loss but also a grave danger to their lives.
Valuable sandalwood trees that grew naturally along the banks and agricultural lands near the water outlet have been unlawfully cut and smuggled by unidentified miscreants over the past few days.
The incident has sparked concern among the local farming community and residents, especially after multiple trees, some as old as 25 years and worth several lakhs, were removed from farmer Meghanathan's property last night.
Farmers in the area have reported that these priceless sandalwood trees are being cut down during the night using axes, and despite complaints to the police, they have been advised to consult with the forestry department for further action. This bureaucratic runaround has left the local agriculturalists in a state of unease, fearing for their safety and the protection of their crops.
In light of these events, farmers urge the integration of efforts between the forest department and police to safeguard the remaining sandalwood trees in the agricultural lands. They also call for immediate action to apprehend the culprits involved in this alarming trend of sandalwood smuggling, as it not only poses a significant financial loss but also a grave danger to their lives.