<p>Kolar: Officials of the Akhila Karnataka Shrigandha Mattu Vanakrishi Belegarara Sangha have accused Forest Department personnel of colluding with thieves amid increasing thefts of sandalwood in Kolar district.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference in Kolar on Sunday, Association convener Srinivas Reddy stated, “Despite repeated appeals, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has not responded to the woes of sandalwood growers. The Forest Department appears to be complicit with the thieves. Thefts occurring shortly after applications for harvesting, transporting, and selling permissions prove this. Numerous restrictions exist, yet thieves operate with impunity.”</p><p>He added, “Srinivasapura, Kolar, and other areas cultivate substantial quantities of sandalwood. Over the past two years, eight theft cases have been registered, with many more unreported.”</p><p>“Despite the installation of CCTV cameras, protection walls, and solar fencing on farms, theft continues unabated. The chip tracking system has failed, and only a few have implemented laser fencing that captures images. We urge authorities to adopt a DNA barcode system. DNA testing of stolen sandalwood pieces can help identify culprits. Additionally, factories purchasing sandalwood should be subject to inspection,” he appealed.</p><p>“We are making efforts to get sandalwood cultivation from the Forest Department to the Horticulture Department. The Forest Department imposes numerous restrictions and distributes supplementary plants without a scientific basis. The Horticulture Department would provide fruit plants, which support better growth of sandalwood,” he explained.</p><p>He said the increase in theft is also due to police negligence and collusion. When we had complained to the then Superintendent of Police M Narayana, the theft reduced somewhat, after police beats were increased. However, after his transfer, thefts have increased again. We will meet the incumbent Superintendent of Police Nikhil B, and appeal to him as well. We also insist on the issuance of gun licenses.</p><p>Association Kolar district president T M Venkatesh Gowda said sandalwood has high demand, cultivated by around 50,000 farmers statewide. However, thefts are rising. Without strict government action against this large-scale racket, farmers will suffer greatly.</p><p><strong>‘Only thieves benefiting’</strong></p><p>Association’s Chikkaballapur district president Kannada Ramesh blamed Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, saying, “While he claims promoting sandalwood cultivation </p><p>will enrich farmers, it seems only the thieves are benefiting. Forest officials are causing problems. In Chintamani taluk alone, thefts occurred at four locations within a single village.”</p><p>He warned, “If the Forest Department remains unresponsive and refuses to hand over sandalwood cultivation to the Horticulture Department, farmers may be forced to take drastic measures.”</p><p>Association office-bearers Ramesh, Kuppanhalli Venkatesha and others were present at the press meet.</p>
<p>Kolar: Officials of the Akhila Karnataka Shrigandha Mattu Vanakrishi Belegarara Sangha have accused Forest Department personnel of colluding with thieves amid increasing thefts of sandalwood in Kolar district.</p><p>Speaking at a press conference in Kolar on Sunday, Association convener Srinivas Reddy stated, “Despite repeated appeals, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has not responded to the woes of sandalwood growers. The Forest Department appears to be complicit with the thieves. Thefts occurring shortly after applications for harvesting, transporting, and selling permissions prove this. Numerous restrictions exist, yet thieves operate with impunity.”</p><p>He added, “Srinivasapura, Kolar, and other areas cultivate substantial quantities of sandalwood. Over the past two years, eight theft cases have been registered, with many more unreported.”</p><p>“Despite the installation of CCTV cameras, protection walls, and solar fencing on farms, theft continues unabated. The chip tracking system has failed, and only a few have implemented laser fencing that captures images. We urge authorities to adopt a DNA barcode system. DNA testing of stolen sandalwood pieces can help identify culprits. Additionally, factories purchasing sandalwood should be subject to inspection,” he appealed.</p><p>“We are making efforts to get sandalwood cultivation from the Forest Department to the Horticulture Department. The Forest Department imposes numerous restrictions and distributes supplementary plants without a scientific basis. The Horticulture Department would provide fruit plants, which support better growth of sandalwood,” he explained.</p><p>He said the increase in theft is also due to police negligence and collusion. When we had complained to the then Superintendent of Police M Narayana, the theft reduced somewhat, after police beats were increased. However, after his transfer, thefts have increased again. We will meet the incumbent Superintendent of Police Nikhil B, and appeal to him as well. We also insist on the issuance of gun licenses.</p><p>Association Kolar district president T M Venkatesh Gowda said sandalwood has high demand, cultivated by around 50,000 farmers statewide. However, thefts are rising. Without strict government action against this large-scale racket, farmers will suffer greatly.</p><p><strong>‘Only thieves benefiting’</strong></p><p>Association’s Chikkaballapur district president Kannada Ramesh blamed Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, saying, “While he claims promoting sandalwood cultivation </p><p>will enrich farmers, it seems only the thieves are benefiting. Forest officials are causing problems. In Chintamani taluk alone, thefts occurred at four locations within a single village.”</p><p>He warned, “If the Forest Department remains unresponsive and refuses to hand over sandalwood cultivation to the Horticulture Department, farmers may be forced to take drastic measures.”</p><p>Association office-bearers Ramesh, Kuppanhalli Venkatesha and others were present at the press meet.</p>
