Officials turn blind to illegal tree felling

Zaheerabad: Illegal felling of trees has been going on uninterrupted in and around Zaheerabad. Miscreants are allegedly destroying forest trees for their personal benefits.

On one hand, the state government is seriously implementing programmes like 'Haritha Haram,' and on the other hand, the felling of trees has been going on without any interruptions.

Transporting woods to different destinations from here is a daily activity. Locals repeatedly lodged complaints at police stations against the illegal activities.

Recently, forest officials took one person into custody for illegally transporting wood to a nearby saw mill. They apprehended him near outskirts of Medamilli in Jharasangam mandal.

Forest Range Officer Vijayarani said that a case has been registered against the person, Sharif, for involving in illegal wood business. She appealed to the people to inform officials if any illegal activity takes place in the region.

A local said that wood is being transported for illegal brick kilns around Zaheerabad. Though Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao personally warned about the protection of forest wealth, the illegal activity has been going on, another local said.

People who took the issue to the notice of the officials concerned wondered why no action was initiated against the smugglers. They demanded stringent action against the miscreants and to protect greenery.