Telangana timber smuggling racket exposed after Madhya Pradesh seizure
HYDERABAD: Illegal smuggling of sandra timber from forest areas of Telangana to northern India has come to light after a lorry was seized in Madhya Pradesh, exposing the use of forged permits and alleged lapses by forest officials.
The racket, operating mainly from Khammam and Mahabubabad districts, involved transporting sandra timber to kattha manufacturing units in states such as Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Smugglers allegedly used fake no-objection certificates (NOCs), showing the consignments as neem or babul logs, to evade checks at forest barriers.
Fake NOCs used to cross borders
According to officials, smugglers generated forged permits in the name of timber grown on private lands, where transport norms are relatively relaxed. While permits are mandatory for forest produce such as teak, bamboo and sandra, the consignments were shown as neem or subabul wood to bypass scrutiny.
The modus operandi came to light when Madhya Pradesh forest officials stopped a Telangana-registered lorry during a routine check. Although the driver produced an NOC stating the load was neem timber, officials found sandra logs concealed beneath a layer of neem wood.
Verification exposes forgery
Madhya Pradesh authorities contacted the Telangana Forest Department to verify the permit serial numbers. Officials confirmed that no such permits had been issued, establishing that the documents were forged. This prompted a vigilance inquiry by the Telangana Forest Department.
Investigators found that sandra timber was being illegally procured from agency areas in Khammam, Mahabubabad and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts, either from forest land or through tribal intermediaries. The timber was stored in secret warehouses before being transported across state borders.
Kattha demand fuels smuggling
Sandra wood is used to manufacture kattha by extracting and boiling its sap. Kattha is widely used in pan masala, gutkha and certain medicinal products. While the timber fetches relatively low prices locally, demand and rates are significantly higher at processing units in northern states, making the trade lucrative.
Action against forest officials
Following the seizure, the forest department’s vigilance wing examined the role of staff posted at check-posts and those involved in issuing permits. The inquiry focused on whether officials failed to detect forged documents or allowed the consignments to pass knowingly.
Twelve officials, including section officers and beat officers, were found responsible for negligence or collusion. Six officials facing serious charges were suspended, charge sheets were filed against another six, and departmental action was initiated against two others.
Officials said some local traders and transport agents were also involved in the racket. A significant portion of the seized sandra timber was reportedly destined for a kattha factory in Madhya Pradesh.
