Smugglers axe 10 sandal trees in reserve forest

Sandalwood smugglers have illegally felled 10 sandalwood trees in Basavanahalli, falling under Tatkola reserve forest in Mudigere of Chikkamagaluru district. The incident came to light on Monday morning.

The trees have been cut using a machine. The smugglers have transported six trees and left the other four as they were not fully grown. The Forest department had turned a blind eye even though similar incidents have taken place earlier. The local people said that smugglers were targetting trees on Kenjige hills.