Sandalwood Worth Over ₹15 Lakh Sezes in Junnar Claims Forest Department Accused Flees
Valued at more than ₹15 lakh, forest authorities confiscated 201 kg of sandalwood and a car from Junnar’s Otur area; the accused left; a case has been opened.
Anshu Kashid
Pune| May 09, 2025 : The Forest Department carried out a successful operation in Jadhavwadi, Bori Budruk, under Otur in the Junnar tehsil under a large campaign against illegal sandalwood smuggling. Acting on a tip-off, authorities grabbed 201 kilogrammes of sandalwood and a car worth more than 15 lakh. The accused vehicle driver left the raid.
Lahu Somnath Dhule has registered a charge connected to the attempt at smuggling. Assistant Forest Conservator Amrit Shinde led the operation under Junnar Deputy Forest Conservator Amol Satpute, Lahu Vitthal Thokal, Otur Forest Range Officer. The raid was enthusiastically participated by guards, forest labourers, and Alephata police. Sources assert the forest department knew everything about sandalwood being driven in a car.
Reacting quickly on the intelligence, the squad executed the attack and effectively grabbed the contraband.This tragedy highlights the growing risk illegal sandalwood trade generates for rural communities surrounded by woods. Although officials’ quick response is admirable, recurring cases show how urgently more thorough monitoring, community awareness, and stricter enforcement actions are needed to reduce forest resource exploitation.
