Forest team nabbed two accused for illegal cutting and transportation of teakwood and seized nine logs of teakwood and a loading vehicle from them at Khawasa Toll Plaza, on Friday. Deputy Field Director of Pench Tiger Reserve, Rajneesh Kumar Singh informed that, acting on a tip-off, the staff of Forest Range Khawasa (Buffer) seized a Mahindra Bolero vehicle bearing (MH-40DC-0941) transporting teak logs illegally at the Khawasa Toll Plaza. During the inspection, forest officials found nine teak logs (1.793 cubic meters) inside the vehicle.

 

The driver failed to produce valid documents for the transportation of the forest produce. On interrogation at the spot, the driver revealed that the seized timber had been transported from village Tighra, located under Forest Range Seoni (General) in District Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.

 

Acting on this information, a team from the Khawasa (Buffer) Range visited the location for on-site verification. During verification, it was confirmed that the timber originated from the agricultural field of local farmer Brajmohan Baghel, resident of village

 

Tighra. Since the case falls under the jurisdiction of South Seoni (General) Forest Division, the seized vehicle, forest produce and two accused persons were handed over to the Forest Range Kurai (General) for further legal action. Forest staff from Khawasa (Buffer) Range actively participated in the operation.