The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Red sanders seized near Gummidipoondi

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Friday, Dec 08, 2006
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Red sanders seized near Gummidipoondi

Staff Reporter

Wood consignment was illegally stacked in a mango grove

CHENNAI : District forest officials in Tiruvallur on Wednesday seized 11.7 tonnes of red sanders from Pallavada village near Gummidipoondi about 30 km north of Chennai

The valuable wood consignment was illegally stacked in a shed in a mango grove in the village. The seized wood was valued at about Rs 11.7 lakh, the officials said. S. Kalyanasundaram, District Forest Officer, Tiruvallur, said that for over a week, they were conducting combing operations in villages bordering Andhra Pradesh. On Tuesday, an anonymous caller gave a message that large quantities of red sanders were stacked in a mango grove at Pallavada. When the officials searched several groves in the village, they were unable to trace any wood.

However, a team led by one of the range officers saw a road little away from a mango grove, which had signs of vehicle movement. He followed vehicle tracks that led into an abandoned mango grove with a shed. The wood consignment hidden in the shed was discovered. The officials also noticed a large quantity of paddy husk, sheaths of sugarcane and sponge materials strewn around the place. He suspected that the smugglers could have used the materials as a cover for transporting the contraband into the grove.

Mr. Kalyanasundaram suspected that the consignment could have been moved into the shed in three or four trips. In all, 413 pieces of red sanders were seized including a few large logs. So far no arrests had been made.

The official said the locals had been advised to inform the officials if they noticed any suspicious movement of lorries in isolated groves.

Similarly, people residing in the suburbs of the city who come across stacking of red sanders in godowns could contact Mr. Kalyanasundaram (mobile 94443-01048) or his office at Tiruvallur on 044-27660487.

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