Nepal Maoists reportedly involved in smuggling of contraband timber

Harakpur, Morang, Nepal - Contraband Simal trees [silk cotton, Bombax malabarica] are being felled and smuggled to India through various border points in eastern Morang invoking Maoist blessings. Concerned timber traders said the Maoists take hefty sums from them to allow the export.

The Maoists' district leadership has, however, denied the charge and claimed that the timber traders are engaged in illegal trade in the name of the Maoists with an aim to defame the Maoists.

"We have directed everyone not to engage in illegal trade and timber smuggling," the Maoists' Morang district chief Dinesh Sharma said. He said the rebels will search out such traders and take action. But Maoist party Chairman Prachanda, talking to journalists in Chandragadhi [a town in Jhapa] two weeks ago had admitted involvement of Maoist workers in deforestation and directed the district leadership to control such act.

"Smuggling out is continuing," acting district forest officer Devi Prasad Koirala said, adding, "We have information of Simal trees being smuggled to India. We have mobilized forest concern groups and local villagers to control the act."

The committee and local villagers said they intercepted two truckloads of Simal timber in Darbesa and Rangeli on Saturday [26 August]. Police however said they have no information about the interception. Timber is being smuggled to India through Mahadeva, Jhurkiya, Bardanga, Dainiya, Rangeli, Babiyabirta, Mayagunj, Amgachhi border points, among others.

Simal timber is being smuggled to India for the past three months. "In the past three months, Simal timber worth 5m rupees [1 US dollar is 75 rupees] has been smuggled to India from Harakpur, Amardaha, Dainiya, Babiyabirta, Govindapur and Hasandaha village development committees among others," a trader involved in smuggling said.

"We pay off those who claim to be Maoists," the trader said, adding, "After paying commissions, they don't give any trouble." [passage omitted: Most of the Simal trees have already been felled down and smuggled to India]

With most of the Simal trees cut down the natural habitat of birds like eagles, vultures and cranes is being destroyed.

Source: Kantipur, Kathmandu, in Nepali 28 Aug 06