Timber smuggling has gone unchecked in Kailali district. People say various national and community forests in the district are being stripped unbeknown to the authorities.

Forests in Dhangadhi, Goadavari, Ramshikarjhala, Pahalmanpur and Lamkichuha have lost a large area of their tree covers to illegal logging. Two days ago, the representatives of Saipal Community Forest in Dhangadhi Submetropolis seized 70 cubic feet of Sal timber from the house of Ramesh Bohara, a local man.

Murari Adhikari, ward chairman of Dhangadhi-18, said the timber was caught after some people came across freshly chopped Sal tree stumps in the local forest and reported to the authorities.

The ward office suspect the involvement of forest guards and members of the local forest users’ group in the case.

Adhikari said the District Forest Office had been urged to conduct an investigation into the matter.

Illegal logging have also been reported in Hariyali, Siddhartha and Bhartola community forests in the district.

District Forest Office Nawaraj Kafle said timber smugglers were active these days, as forest patrolling could not be carried out effectively due to monsoon rains.

He said community forest users’ groups should also take the responsibility of guarding the forests in their areas against timber smugglers.