CIAA directs govt to check sandalwood smuggling

In the wake of reports of continued smuggling of red sandalwood from India to China via Nepal, the Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has directed the government authorities to check the trend.

The CIAA, on Wednesday, summoned Secretaries of Forest, Home and Finance Ministries as well as officials of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department, Customs Department, Revenue Investigation Department, Forest Department and Police Headquarters to discuss the issue of growing incidents of sandalwood smuggling.

The Commission is also learnt to have directed the government to formulate necessary law to implement the CITES – international convention against illegal trafficking of endangered species of fauna and flora of which Nepal is a state party.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, police seized 7 ton of red sandalwood valued at Rs 20 million from Simle of Sindhupalchowk district. The smugglers were trying to ferry the sandalwood into China. A week ago, police had seized 11 ton of red sandalwood from Naubise in Kathmandu. nepalnews.com sd Apr 19 07