Spread over a large area, this forest is covered with around 25-thousand sandalwood trees, over half of which are privately owned. The trees are under constant threat from an organized group of smugglers operating in the area.

A local resident who lost 32 of his sandalwood trees, says the officials aren’t doing enough to prevent smuggling.

[Shiv Kumar, Resident]:
"We have caught so many smugglers and have handed them over to the police, but the results are not at all satisfactory. Earlier there were smugglers who came from Bihar but now there are some locals who are causing this menace. The culprits who are arrested by the police are either put under a normal charge of theft or are released on bail in no time."

Forest conservators in Kanga agree the laws against smugglers should be tougher.

[A. M. R. Reddy, Forest Conservator]:
"All these cases are being dealt in a normal way, like any other tree is cut. So, most of the culprits will escape from the act or else get an imprisonment to a maximum of six months. So far the judiciary can only give them six month in prison. We also feel that there should be a special provision or act or rule or amendment to deal with such kind of cases."

Reddy added that it is very difficult to catch the smugglers as they come in by bus… and hundreds of buses come and go from the region everyday.

Over the last few years, sandalwood smuggling has become a major racket due to its rising prices in national and international markets.

Sandalwood is used in soaps and beauty products. Art objects made of sandalwood are also popular among collectors.