Officials helpless as villagers axe trees

Neither the forest department personnel nor the police could take any action even as hundreds of trees were cut down.

The Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation had bagged the contract to fell and transport the trees in the 20 hectare of forest area. It supplies wood to Kudige diary and Dandeli paper mill. The corporation had tried to cut down trees with the help of labourers but villagers did not allow, said Chandrasekhar of the forest department.

He held the village forest committee, which has allegedly not presented proper accounts and statements before the villagers, responsible for the untoward incident. The incident of the committee members felling and transporting trees enraged the villagers, who in turn cut down trees.

Forest department officials said due to shortage of staff it was not possible to visit the spot. A case was filed with the Konanur police, who seized tractors. However, the police did not succeed in bringing the situation under control.