Illegal smuggling and sale of ganja and sandalwood is flourishing in Attappady (in Palakkad, Kerala) despite the efforts of excise and forest department officials.

Although one resident of Anavai settlement in Pudur denied the existence of ganja plantations, many other villagers refuted her claim. People said ganja was being sold here for Rs 3,000 per kg to outsiders.

There are fewer ganja plantations, so raids are conducted once a month. But drives to catch sandalwood smugglers are conducted frequently.

There are many sandalwood forests in Attappady, Sholayur, Pudur and Ommala. In the past 10 years, nearly 1,700 people have been charged with sandalwood smuggling. In 2012, more than 15 cases of sandalwood smuggling were reported in Attappady.

“Outsiders lure tribals into cutting and transporting sandalwood,” said Ramachandra, Deputy Range Officer, Ommala forestation area.

“A few years back, there were no cases of smuggling because the trees were still young; now they are mature and ready for use,” said Ravi Kumar, Agali’s Section Forest Officer.

According to Ravi Kumar, sandalwood is sold for Rs 600-Rs 800 per kg to outsiders, who in turn sell it for Rs 1,200-Rs 1,500 per kg. “Mediators like tribals and drivers are the ones that get caught. Actual profit makers never get caught,” he added.

Valliamma, a member of Taaikullam, a women’s organisation in Attappady, said, “Recently 20 lorries were loaded with sandalwood. We clicked pictures and took them to the Forest Office. The officers there said they would take action within two weeks, but nothing happened.”

(Kavita is an electronics and communications engineer from Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehra Dun who just graduated from ACJ, Chennai.)

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