Smuggler's net in Kailali's Ghodaghodi, forest clearing overnight

Dhangadhi: Community forest has been cleared illegally in Ghodaghodi of Kailali district. The incident took place in a community forest of Ghodaghodi Municipality-4. Dasharath Neupane, a local, informed that the trees were found in the Tekna Community Forest of Gaidakhera in Ghodaghodi Municipality-4.

Stating that illegal timber theft and logging has been going on in the past years as well, he said that even the community forest officials have ignored it. Locals had found the trees in the forest on Friday.

According to Neupane, the smuggling of timber on horseback was rampant with the connivance of forest staff and committee officials. Locals allege that the number of smugglers in the forest has increased due to the negligence of the committee.

Meanwhile, the Sub-Forest Division Office, Sukhkhad, said that monitoring was being carried out. The community forest officials could not be reached for comment.