Pratapgarh : Illegal cutting and smuggling of Kher trees from the rich forests of Pratapgarh district has increased in the last few years. Kher trees from the forests and revenue lands of the district have been the target of smugglers for the last few years. From here, trees are being cut and sent in vehicles to Jaipur and Ahmedabad. It was told that catechu is made from Kher wood. Besides this, Kher wood is very strong. Due to this the demand for Kher wood is increasing. The forest department has seized more than two dozen vehicles from the forests of the district in the last one year alone.
In which a large quantity of Kher wood was being transported. According to forest sources, sometimes smugglers succeed in smuggling in the dark of night. It is noteworthy that the forests of the district are rich with many varieties of trees and plants including teak. Especially teak wood is found in large quantities here. Which has been harvested and smuggled. In recent years, there has been a shortage of teak. In such a situation, the forest mafia from here is now engaged in smuggling of other varieties of wood instead of teak. In which especially smuggling of Kheer has increased. After harvesting from here, it is being smuggled in vehicles and taken to Jaipur and Gujarat.
Two dozen vehicles caught so far this year
More than two dozen cases of smuggling of Kher wood have been registered by the Forest Department this year. Which includes small to big vehicles. Which includes tractor, pickup, truck, trolley etc. In which Kher wood is caught. So far, 16 vehicles have been caught smuggling Kher wood in Sitamata Sanctuary in the year 2023-24. On behalf of Forest Division Pratapgarh, 8 vehicles carrying Kher wood have been caught. According to Someshwar Trivedi, Assistant Forest Conservator of Sitamata Sanctuary, action has been increased in the forest this year. 16 vehicles involved in smuggling of Kher wood have been caught. Which was being taken to Jaipur.
