Mysuru: Mysuru forest authorities said that they suspect an organised crime syndicate behind the illegal axing of 46 trees at Hejjige village near Nanjangud and have formed a special team to probe the case.DCF K Paramesh told TOI that the illegal cutting of trees on the banks of Kapila River was reported on March 7. “Immediately after inspecting the spot, a case was taken up after seizing the tools used to cut the trees. A person was booked under the Karnataka Forest Act,” he said.Paramesh said preliminary investigation indicated the involvement of an organised group. A team headed by an ACF has been formed, with Nanjangud RFO assisting the probe.Activist Parashuramegowda criticised the forest, revenue, RDPR departments and the district administration, saying their “failure to protect trees on govt land was evident from this incident”. He said the illegal cutting of 46 large trees of different species was “a grave attack on the environment” and “extremely regrettable” in the home district of the chief minister.He urged the district in-charge minister to act swiftly and “bring all those involved into the books”, warning that like-minded groups would launch a large-scale protest otherwise.
