Bhubaneswar, Feb. 1 -- The Forest Department on Sunday intercepted an illegal timber smuggling attempt near Gangapur village on Sunday under the Badagada forest range of the South Ghumusar forest division, Bhanjangar of Ganjam district and seized timber, vehicle worth over Rs 3 lakh.

Acting on a tip-off, forest officials seized a pickup van loaded with valuable timber, preventing its unlawful transport.According to officials, information was received that a pickup van was being used to smuggle high-value timber. Following this, the Badagada Range Forest Officer, along with a special enforcement team, launched an operation and began trailing the suspect vehicle.

Driver Flees, Vehicle Seized

On spotting the Forest Department vehicle, the...