Man Held for Chopping Sandalwood in Reserve Forest
A 58-year-old man was arrested for chopping about one tonne of sandalwood in Anaicut Reserve Forest near Abdullapuram, Vellore. Police recovered logs from the suspect and his hideout, while an accomplice remains absconding and a broader probe is underway.
Key takeaways
- A sandalwood theft case led to the arrest of a 58-year-old woodcutter in Vellore district.
- Approximately one tonne of sandalwood logs were recovered from a hideout and during a police search.
- An accomplice remains at large as investigators expand the probe into forest-crime activities.
What Happened
A 58-year-old man, identified as K. Elumalai, was arrested after authorities recovered approximately one tonne of sandalwood logs from a hideout in Kudisai village. The logs were found following a routine patrol by Virinchipuram police that spotted a gang led by Elumalai, who had been trespassing into the Anaicut Reserve Forest near Abdullapuram village, along the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) in Vellore district. When approached, two accomplices fled, and Elumalai was apprehended. The police handed him over to forest officials, who then located and recovered the remainder of the logs at a hideout identified by Elumalai. A case has been registered against him, and special teams have been formed to apprehend others involved. The police described the forest area as one of five reserved forests in the district, noting the presence of various native species such as red sanders, teak, and salwood within Paravamalai RF, which is highlighted for its extensive plantation activity.
Why It Matters
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about illegal timber extraction from protected forest lands. Authorities have responded by forming specialized teams and launching a broader probe to identify others involved, signaling a heightened enforcement focus on forest protection in the district.
Background
The crime occurred in the Anaicut Reserve Forest area near Abdullapuram on the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway in Vellore. Officials highlighted that Paravamalai Reserve Forest hosts a large plantation of red sanders, teak, salwood, tamarind, neem, and other native species, indicating a potential target set for illegal logging activities. A police routine patrol led to the initial interception, and investigators are pursuing additional suspects believed to be part of the activity.
Key Facts
- Suspect: K. Elumalai, 58 years old, woodcutter.
- Location: Anaicut Reserve Forest, near Abdullapuram village, along NH-48, Vellore district.
- Consequence: Arrested; a case registered against him.
- Evidence: About one tonne of sandalwood logs recovered from hideout in Kudisai village; additional logs found during search of a hideout identified by Elumalai.
- Accomplice: One accomplice is absconding.
- Enforcement: Routine patrol by Virinchipuram police led to the arrest; forest officials are taking up the case and continuing the probe.
- Context: Paravamalai Reserve Forest noted for large plantations of red sanders, teak, salwood, and other species; the district has five RFs.
What Happens Next
Special teams remain in operation to locate other individuals involved in the case and to advance the investigation into illegal logging activities within the district’s reserve forests. Further legal and administrative steps will depend on the ongoing inquiry and standard forest-crime prosecution processes.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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