Mangaluru: The forest department plunged into action after two century-old trees were felled illegally on Saturday. Incidentally, the trees belonged to the police department. 

Mangaluru zone forest officer Clifford Lobo, who conducted the raid said they could stop the contractor from felling more trees. 

It’s learnt that the trees were felled to construct houses for the police including for the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Mangaluru. Accordingly, the Karnataka Police Housing Board had given the construction work to the contractor. However, the contractor without asking the permission from the forest department felled two huge trees and dumped under the pile of mud. It’s said the locals informed the forest department.

The forest department seized felled trees, the bulldozer and issued notice to Karnataka Police Housing Board.

Clifford Lobo told newskarnataka.com that that the contractor has cut trees without seeking permission from the forest department. We have stopped them from felling more trees”.