Sandur smugglers take ‘Pushpa’ route to ship out sandalwood

Ballari: Authorities in Sandur have reported a rise in sandalwood smuggling, following a crackdown on illegal mining activities.

A local gang was recently busted while transporting sandalwood in small parcels in a manner reminiscent of the popular film ‘Pushpa'.

In the blockbuster, smugglers disguise red sandalwood within mundane-looking goods carriages and other vehicles by concealing the consignments in smaller quantities under layers of other goods and within secret compartments to avoid detection.

Reel to real: Acting on a tip-off, forest officials arrested Manju Nayak (40), a resident of Sushila Nagar, for illegal felling of sandalwood trees and chopping off the wood in Bugurikolla forest of Sandur taluk. The authorities also seized 5 kg of sandalwood and four bikes. Three other gang members are still at large.

Although the seized quantity wasn't significant, the modus operandi brought to light the fact that sandalwood was being transported in small consignments by smugglers on two-wheelers to avoid raising any suspicion among the lawkeepers.

Environmental activist Srishail has expressed concern that while the forest used to be severely damaged by illegal mining in the past, cessation of such activities has allowed trees, including sandalwood, to regrow. "This resurgence has attracted sandalwood thieves, necessitating heightened vigilance," he said.

Residents say the small quantity of smuggled sandalwood notwithstanding, there's a large network of smugglers that's active in the area. They have urged the police and Forest Department to crack down on these elements and preserve the wealth and sanctity of the forests.

Basavaraj K N, the deputy conservator of forests, said the criminals, aware that transporting large logs from dense forests would likely lead to suspicion and subsequent police action, chopped the larger blocks into smaller pieces for those to be carried in bags on two-wheelers.

The official further said some individuals leverage their knowledge of the local topography to cultivate sandalwood plantations in secret for the wood to be smuggled out. However, alert personnel from the Forest Department and the police maintain a high level of vigil to thwart such clandestine activities.