Pics: Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network—Belthangady (DV)
Belthangady, Sep 7: Dharmasthala is a renowned pilgrimage center. Several devotees throng here and worship Lord Manjunatha. But, unfortunately, in a sacred place like this, quite a few mafias also operate.
Several trees including teak and other similar valuable trees located on land owned by the forest department are being cut down. Forest wealth is being destroyed by the illegal sand mafia. An incident was reported from Boliyar in Dharmasthala village. Several trees have been chopped down and are being transported illegally. The mafia uses this area to gather sand from the nearby river. This has been going on over the past four years and several trees have been destroyed, alleged the villagers.
Villagers also alleged that several trees have been illegally transported. Now, the forest department has seized a few trees. It is suspected that a person named Joy who hails from Kerala, is involved in this along with a few others.
Moreover, one illegal building has also been constructed on the forest land without permission allege the villagers. Now, the forest department has filed a case against those who are involved in this act and have confiscated the trees.
There is a path leading to the colony of a scheduled tribe and the mafia has encroached on this path too.
It is also alleged that when a few people complained to the grama panchayat and police station they received threats from the mafia.
According to locals, it is also said that this sand mafia has been active from the past four years. Now they have involved themselves in looting the forest. The villagers also alleged that two years ago, a youth named Shashi was hacked to death by the mafia for protesting against them.
Though a case has been filed by the police and forest department officers, they have never visited the place. A few days ago, Arun, a member of the village forest committee received a death threat from the mafia. He lodged a complaint at Belthangady police station. Trees from forests in areas like Puttur, Uppinagady, and Belthangady have also been cut down.
It is also said that a few people from the vicinity are involved in this racket and politicians are also being linked to this. Hence, the concerned departments are not taking proper action against the miscreants.