SARLAHI, March 7 -- Timber smuggling is increasing in the forests of the Chure Range in Sarlahi district. According to locals, numerous trees in Kalinjor, Parwanipur, Narayankhola and Pattharkot of Chure area are being cut down without the permission from the forest officials. Smugglers are targeting Green Sal, Khayar and Saj, among other trees, locals say.

In the absence of police and forest officials, timber smuggling is rampant in the Chure area and mostly goes under the radar. A few days ago, a huge cache of illegal logs was seized at Setibheri in Lalbandi Municipality-11 (Chure settlement). Acting on a tip off, police seized logs worth Rs 700,000 loaded onto three separate tractors.

Smugglers find a thriving demand for timber in th...