Smugglers make wealth from Thenkahola forest

In the government documents it is Thenkahola reserve forest.  Lakhs of saplings were planted spending crores.

Several thousands were utilised for taking care of the saplings over the years.
 
Unfortunately, smugglers are busy looting the natural resources in the forest, and the department which is supposed to protect the green treasure appears to be in a slumber.

The reserve forest covering 883.15 acre comes under Kudremukh division and Someshwar wild life division and is situated near Belanje, on the border of Karkala-Kundapur. The forest is surrounded by Kamtha, Gundkallu, Santhekatte, Albadi, Ardi villages.

Kundapur-Hebri highway passes through the forest, which has become a boon for the smugglers.

After Someshwar and Kudremukh were declared as sanctuary, Thenkahola was declared as reserve forest.

Accordingly, the forest department has laid fence around the forest, to protect it from the smugglers.

The government took interest in planting precious trees in Albadi, Moorukai, Santhekatte, Jomlu. However, when the saplings grew, it caught the eyes of the smugglers.

Recently, smuggling of wooden logs from the forest was unearthed at Kucchur Doddabelar Jeddu and the accused have confessed that they had committed the crime of felling trees inside the forest before Range Forest Officer Lohith Kumar and have paid a fine for the offence committed by them.

Locals allege that the officials are hand in gloves with the smugglers and are indirectly supporting the smugglers. The forest officials are seen patrolling outside but they rarely  enter the reserve forest.