Koraput: Timber smugglers are having a field day in the Boipariguda forest range in the district due to alleged inaction of forest officials.

A source said the thick forest cover of Nuaguda forest block and Dharmagad reserve forest is fast vanishing, thanks to extensive smuggling activities in the area.

Villagers of Nuaguda say that a nexus exists between forest personnel and timber mafia, as a result trees are being illegally felled under the nose of the officials.

"Trees are felled frequently in the reserve forest area. Rare and valuable trees, such as sal, piasal, siris and teak, are felled and smuggled in absence of proper vigil. The officials are well aware of it. But instead of keeping a check on such activities, they take hefty cuts from the timber mafia and no action is initiated against them," said a villager.

The Nuaguda forest, spread over around 400 hectares, has huge number of sal and piasal trees that are about 50 to 60 years old.

Officials skip their duty citing the presence of Maoists in the forest area, helping the timber mafia to continue with their business.

"Tribals here eke out a living by selling forest produce from Nuaguda. If action is not taken against the timber mafia, it will directly affect the tribal economy," said Kuni Pujari a villager.

An official said based on specific information raids were being conducted to stop illegal felling of trees at Nuagada forest.

"It is not that action is not being taken against illegal felling of trees at Nuaguda and Dharmagad. But due to shortage of field staff we face problems sometimes. We are trying our best to take necessary steps to stop timber smuggling in the area. More than 15 timber smugglers have been arrested in past few weeks from this area alone," said Boipariguda forest range officer Uma Mahesh.