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Bamboo smuggling from Nallamala forest alleged
Bamboo is being smuggled out of the Nallamala forest region in one form or the other allegedly by middlemen, non-tribals and corrupt forest officials depriving livelihood to the sons of the soil—the Chenchu.
- 10 lorry loads of bamboos were secretly hidden in the Nagaluti and Bairluti forest range to smuggle and sell them after Ugadi
- Lakhs of devotees from the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka visit Srisailam for Sivaratri, in return, they purchase a five-feet-long snake-hooded walking stick, mosquito net sticks and other kinds of bamboo products
Atmakur (Kurnool): Bamboo is being smuggled out of the Nallamala forest region in one form or the other allegedly by middlemen, non-tribals and corrupt forest officials depriving livelihood to the sons of the soil—the Chenchu. In the forest region, which is home to a tiger reserve, quality bamboo of Mulyam variety is being grown. Tigers find it convenient to take shelter in the bamboo hedges. The middlemen are cutting down bamboo and smuggling them out of the region by road to neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Annually, lakhs of devotees from the two states visit Srisailam for Sivaratri to have a darshan of Lord Shiva through forest route trekking long distances. In the return journey, as per certain deep-rooted traditions, the pilgrims purchase a five-feet-long snake-hooded walking stick, mosquito net sticks and other kinds of bamboo products.
According to information received by the Forest department personnel, 10 lorry loads of bamboos were secretly hidden in the Nagaluti and Bairluti forest range keeping ready the bamboo stick for sale after Ugadi. Consequently, the forest officials have stepped up vigil and combing the forest region. It is learnt that some of the unscrupulous elements in the Forest department leaked out the information on raids to the middlemen, who grew smart by shifting the lorries-laden with bamboo. Some others are purchasing 10 per cent of the total bamboo legally and the rest illegally and transporting the bamboo through road. The bamboo products like baskets, winnowing baskets and sticks are being sold at exorbitant rates to the people of Karnataka.
Though the Chenchus are authorised to cut bamboo and sell them, middlemen, non-tribals and some corrupt officials are minting money out of the bamboo smuggling depriving crores of revenue to the state exchequer.
Chances are likely to unearth the bamboo and bamboo products by undertaking raids on homes and other places in Atmakur region.
M Sathya Peter
