Rautahat, September 21:

Timber thieves are felling trees of different species in forest areas of Gaindatar, Paurai, Dhansar, Rangpur, Hilekhola and Simri Ranger posts at night and smuggling them out, locals said, and accused some forest officials of colluding with the thieves. Chief forest officer of the Rautahat District Forest Office, Hem Lal Aryal, admitted to having heard of timber being smuggled from jungles of the area.

Though the CPN-Maoist had prohibited felling of trees a month ago, timber smugglers are felling trees in forest areas of Gaindatar, Paurai, Dhansar, Rangpur.