Meera Bhardwaj:
Inquiry is going on into a massive cache – 51 tons of heartwood of Acacia catechu tree and other wood cuttings that was seized in Holenarsipura taluk, Hassan district of Karnataka on March 27, 2026.
Nearly 51 tons or 51,000 kgs of acacia catechu wood (as the passes given by deputy RFO, Bidar district indicate) was seized by forest officials in Hassan district when they were being illegally transported from Bidar to Holenarsipura, Hassan.
The final destination of this illegal cache of catechu wood was Maharashtra and not Karnataka. It was being done without any authorization from the concerned DCF of the Karnataka forest department. This seizure in fact, points to maybe “more collection of acacia catechu from other districts in Karnataka” before finally moving to its final destination in Maharashtra.
THE FOREST PASSES ILLEGALITY
Two passes were found issued by deputy range forest officer at stations Maskal and Chikli, Bidar district (as per orders of RFO, Aurad, Bidar, the pass CLEARLY states):
- One Pass dated 9.05.2025, No: 962638 at Station Maskal issued to Prabhurao for transporting 25,000 kgs or 25 tons of Khair wood, round wood, cut wood & fire wood, 1890 pieces through Maskal, Bidar, Kalaburagi and Holenarsipura by Vehicle No: GJ19 x 5112. This pass could be produced at all check posts enroute.
- Second Pass dated 8.05.2025, No: 962630 at issued at Station Chikli to Ms Savitri for transporting 26,000 kgs or 26 tons of Khair wood, round wood, cut wood & fire wood, 1840 pieces through Chikli, Bidar, Kalaburagi and to Holenarsipura by Vehicle No: MH 18 BG 6353. This Pass could be produced at all check posts enroute.
Now why was the offender transporting acacia catechu from Bidar to Hassan and whether he was trying to collect more catechu wood across other districts in the state before heading to Maharashtra – is now being thoroughly investigated.
The seizure of acacia catechu was done on March 27, 2026 at 11.20 am based on a complaint from local people. All the material was seized at King Timbers and Traders, KIADB Industrial Area, Holenarsipura.
In the FIR filed by Holenarsipura RFO Dileep Kumar, the only offender named is Arfaad Hussain (son of Abhidath Hussain) who is the owner of the timber trading company.
AT JMFC COURT, HOLENARSIPURA
Further, a case was registered at the JMFC Court, Holenarsipura on April 2nd itself against Arfaad Hussain, the owner of King Timbers and Trading that he had illegally stored acacia catechu, thereby, violating the provisions of the Karnataka Forest Act and rules.
The Principal Civil Judge, JMFC Court directed and said, “Perusal of the requisition prima-facie show that there is need for investigations and hence, the said offences being non-cognizable in nature, the concerned officer is permitted to investigate the matter by registering FIR as per law.”
On April 2, 2026, a FIR was booked at 2.20 pm against the offenders who were transporting catechu wood from Bidar to Hassan without the necessary authorization. They were booked under the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963 for felling of catechu trees without permission as it is prohibited. So, a case was registered under the following sections – 89, 90, 93, 96 and 98 of the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963.
INQUIRY GOING ON AS PER DIRECTIONS OF FOREST MINISTER
Speaking to Green Minute News, Hassan Circle CF V Yedakondalu said, “The nature of the material seized and transported on 27.03.2026 was acacia catechu. They had a pass with them issued for transportation from Bidar to Hassan by a deputy range forest officer of Bidar circle. But they had no authorization from the DCF, Bidar. The Dy RFO in Bidar district had exceeded his power limit and given the pass in that district. After we received a complaint on March 27, the material was seized and a FIR was booked on April 2.”
In the aftermath of verification from the DCF of Bidar, the Hassan Circle CF said, “We came to know that the Bidar DCF had not authorized any such material transportation from Bidar to Hassan. Inquiry is on and I have asked for all the details from our field officers in Hassan and also received information from the Bidar DCF’s office. The inquiry will be completed in another two days and a report will be submitted to the Head of Forest Force and PCCF.”
STATE FOREST MINISTER’S ACTION
On Thursday, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre instituted an inquiry into the alleged transportation of catechu wood from Bidar to Hassan without the necessary authorization from the concerned Bidar DCF.
As per a statement from the Forest Minister, it was brought to their notice that in Hassan Territorial Division, in Holenarsipura Range, trees from both revenue and forest areas are being illicitly transported using fake passes. Further, some of the timber is suspected to have originated from the border areas of Bidar district as well.
The State Government has taken a serious view of the matter. Forest Minister said, “There are also allegations regarding the involvement of certain Forest Department personnel in the said offence. In view of the gravity of the issue, a CCF-level investigation is hereby ordered. Officers and staff found involved in the matter shall be placed under suspension, and all other persons connected to the offence shall be booked in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Forest Act.”
HIGHLY PRIZED WOOD IN THE MARKET
Senegalia catechu (formerly known as Acacia catechu), is also called as Black Cutch or Khair. Highly prized, the Khair wood produces a dried aqueous extract called catechu from its heartwood. Catechu is a dense, durable timber native to India and Southeast Asia. The wood is very hard, heavy, and durable, making it resistant to termites and borers.
This resinous, astringent extract is rich in tannins and so, used primarily for tanning, and as a natural dye. In fact, Acacia catechu is used for two main purposes – one for extracting resin or gum from the heartwood once the bark is peeled and the other as a hardy timber. The resin which is extracted from the heartwood is very expensive.
(PHOTO CREDIT: ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT)