Margao: The range forest office, Quepem, foiled an attempt by teak smugglers to transport logs from two illegally felled trees at Avedem, Paroda.The forest department has booked an offence against unidentified persons for the illegal felling of the trees and seized the logs that were meant to be smuggled out.According to forest department sources, they were alerted on Monday evening about the illegal felling under way at Paroda. A team that rushed to the spot found two trees already felled, with the logs stacked at the site.The team kept vigil at the spot round the clock until Wednesday, hoping to nab the accused when they returned to cart away the logs. When no one showed up, an offence was registered against unidentified persons under Section 8 of the Preservation of Trees Act, 1984, which deals with illegal tree-felling.Meanwhile, villagers of Avedem, speaking to TOI, raised concerns over the flying squad’s failure to respond to their calls. They also pointed out that several mobile numbers listed for flying squad members on the forest department’s official website are non-functional and demanded that this information be updated regularly.
