MAHENDRANAGAR, Dec 28: Timber logs worth millions of rupees in the community forests of Kanchanpur and Dadeldhura have been rotting due to negligence of the concerned authorities. Around 750,000 cubic feet of illegally cut timber have been left to decay in these forests.
The community forest representatives in collusion with timber smugglers had felled hundred of Sal trees last year. According to locals, the smugglers have been active lately and are smuggling the timber out of the forests.
These smugglers have even constructed a 22-km short route to ferry the timber to buyers.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has imposed a ban on the movement of limber-laden trucks through the route. But the community forest users have been seeking permission from the government to upgrade the 25 km road stretch from Suda VDC-6 of Kanchanpur to Jogbuda VDC of Dadeldhura.
CIAA has seized the documents of eight community forests in the area after it found illegal felling of trees in the area. According to a source, the smugglers are planning to ferry the logs to Kathmandu. Per cubic feet of Sal wood costs more than Rs 3,000 in the local market.
Meanwhile, the Special Court has started recording statements of the office bearers of the eight community forests. The CIAA has lodged a case in the Special Court accusing the community forests of involvement in deforestation and timber smuggling.
The representatives of these community forests have been summoned to Kathmandu to record their statements.
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