In a significant operation, officials from the Kushalnagar Range Forest Office apprehended three individuals involved in the illegal transportation of precious stones from Madikeri Taluk reserve forests to Mysuru. The arrests occurred during an early morning checkpoint on Tuesday at Kushalnagar.
Operation Details
Forest Department personnel intercepted two vehicles attempting to evade capture. Following a pursuit, both vehicles were stopped at Periyapatna. The pick-up truck (KA-21-C-6574) was found loaded with approximately 2,500 kg of raw precious stones worth lakhs of rupees.
Arrested Suspects
The accused, identified as M.G. Shivaprasad, M.M. Jabir, and M.A. Rizwan, hail from various locations in Madikeri and were involved in the smuggling operation.
Conservation Concerns
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in protecting the Western Ghats from illegal mining activities, particularly in areas like Pushpagiri-Kadamakallu Range and Nishani Betta. Despite previous efforts, illegal stone mining remains rampant, facilitated by local collaboration and high market demand.
Call for Action
Forest Officer Rathan Kumar and his team executed the operation, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement and enhanced conservation measures to safeguard these ecologically sensitive regions.