Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Nov 16: Officials of the wildlife division found 14 kg of frankincense from Yermal near Indabettu located within the limits of Kudremukh National Park. They also took into custody two persons in this connection.

The arrested men have been identified as Addu alias Abdul Rahiman from Kajoor, and Kittanna from Puduvettu village in the taluk. The two used to pitch a tent at Yermal within the forest area, and collect frankincense from the trees grown by the department, the officials said. A number of citizens had raised the topic of frankincense theft, at the recently held Gram Sabha.

In-charge range forest officer of Beltangady, Rajesh, forest guards from Hebri, Deviprasad and Prashant, conducted the raid, under the leadership of Someshwar sanctuary forest officer, G Lohit and  guidance of deputy forest conservator of Kudremukh wildlife division, Prakash Natalkar and assistant forest conservator, S V Kambali.

The officials said that the frankincense collected by the two was being bought by a few persons by visiting the spot once in three days.