Thousands of trees burnt inside Kodagu Reserve Forest

Madikeri: Thousands of trees were illegally cut inside the reserve forest area near Talakaveri sanctuary in Kodagu. The incident came to light when Kodagu Unification members highlighted the issue after visiting the spot. Suspecting the involvement of forest personnel in this act, he has lodged a complaint in this regard with Virajpet MLA AS Ponanna. Situated on the edge of the Talakauveri Sanctuary, the Mundrote Forest Range of the Padinalkunadu Reserve Forest region is home to over 6,000 species of trees and plants. However, thousands of trees have been illegally cut inside the reserved forest area and three accused have been booked in the case. To destroy the evidence, they burnt the felled trees, posing a threat of forest fire spreading in the Talakaveri sanctuary area. When members of the Kodagu Ekikaran Ranga Mancha visited the spot, they found that more than 5 acres of reserved forest land had reportedly been cleared by encroachers. Virajpet DCF Jagannath shared that the department is still ascertaining whether the felling was done in the reserved forest area or on private land touching the reserved forest area. Nevertheless, in the FIR lodged by the department, it has been said that the incident took place in the reserved forest area. DCF said, “Strict action will be taken against the culprits.”