Over 9,000 smuggling cases, 660 encroachments in Telangana forests

HYDERABAD: As many as 6,721 smuggling cases were booked by the forest department during 2019-2020, in which the officials seized timber worth Rs 5.64 crore and collected a compounding fee of Rs 10.61 crore. Further, 2,585 undetected smuggling cases have been registered during the same period in which timber worth Rs 3.42 crores was seized and transported to the government timber depots.
State forest and environment minister Allola Indira Karan Reddy further explained that apart from timber, 668 encroachment cases were also booked and strict punishments are being imposed under the PD Act on the culprits committing forests offences.
Remembering the sacrifices made by the forest officers at Nehru Zoological Park on Forest Martyrs’ Day, observed on September 11, the minister informed that nearly 21 officers of various cadres in Telangana have sacrificed their lives for protection of forests and wildlife since 1984.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has restricted all the citizens to their homes. But the officers and staff of forest department continued their service towards the forests even in this difficult situation,” the minister said.