Beed: Rampant Tree Felling Sparks Drought Fears In Kaij

Widespread tree felling and the illicit transportation of timber have reportedly taken place in multiple villages of Kaij tehsil, triggering grave environmental concerns. Local inhabitants fear that the swift depletion of forest cover is significantly reducing regional rainfall, propelling the region towards chronic drought and severe water scarcity.

Despite the extensive scale of these activities, there seems to be no official oversight, with authorities accused of negligence. The agricultural community in the region is already suffering from dwindling crop yields, an alarming surge in farmer suicides, and a sharp decline in livestock numbers. Adding to these difficulties, large-scale cutting of standing trees from agricultural lands is being actively carried out across Kaij tehsil and its surrounding areas.

The felled timber is reportedly being transported directly to sawmills without any apparent administrative oversight or intervention.

Concerned by the environmental consequences, local nature enthusiasts and tree activists have called for an immediate crackdown on the unchecked logging. Responding to these allegations, forest officials claimed that the felling activities fall within permissible legal parameters. According to the Range Forest Officer of Dharur, "Farmers are permitted to fell Subabul (river tamarind) and Nilgiri (eucalyptus) trees without requiring prior official permission. Therefore, the tree cutting that has taken place pertains only to these specific varieties."