India, Feb. 8 -- Village Gram Sabha sent a letter toprincipal secretary, Maharashtra forest department, on Jan 27, seeking action

Some villagers from Maharashtra's Malur forest village - inside Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area (PA) - have alleged illegal tree felling by those willing to relocate. The village Gram Sabha January 27, 2021 wrote a letter to principal secretary, state forest department, claiming that they were doing so with help from forest officials:

"There is heavy felling of trees in the region and the wood is taken by the people who are relocating. No one is stopping them at the forest check post. Hence it seems to us that this is not just in the knowledge of forest officials but also happening with their con...