Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 24: A joint beat patrolling operation was carried out in the Potinallah forest area on 22.08.2026 at 1630 hrs by the Beat Officers and Mazdoors of Mathura, Namunaghar and Ferrargunj Beats under Tushnabad Range, South Andaman Forest Division, as part of regular forest protection and enforcement activities. During the course of patrolling, the team detected 0.293 Cbm hand-sawn Padauk timber which had been concealed in bushes. The timber was seized by the patrolling team in accordance with the applicable forest laws and prescribed procedures.
The seized timber was subsequently transported from the site and brought to the Range Office, Tushnabad, at about 2330 hrs for safe custody and further necessary action.
Despite efforts made by the patrolling team, the offender(s) could not be traced at the site and no person was apprehended in connection with the seizure. Further enquiry is being carried out to ascertain the persons involved in the illegal felling and conversion of the timber, and necessary action will be taken in accordance with law.
The operation was conducted under the overall supervision of Mr. Rajee George, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, South Andaman Forest Division, and under the guidance of Mr. R.S. Sharath, Assistant Conservator of Forests, and Mrs. P.K. Sandhya Prasad, Forest Ranger.
The South Andaman Forest Division reiterates its appeal to the general public to cooperate in safeguarding the forests and wildlife of the Islands and to report any information regarding illegal hunting, possession, transport, storage or trade of forest and wildlife produce through the Forest Department Helpline 03192-255228. The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
