SMUGGLING ON THE RISE- NEPAL

Khayar trees (Acacia catechu) used for making paan (betel) ingredient are being smuggled from forests in some VDCs in the Khotang district Eastern Nepal. An Armed Police Force (APF) team recently found many khayar trees kept at Bijayakharka VDC-1 without authorized seals on them. A source said the trees were transported from Rajapani VDC in the presence of forest employees. Assistant forest officer at the Khotang District Forest Office said only those khayar trees which are grown on private land are allowed to be exported. Similarly Police seized about 1,200 kg of red sandal wood from a Khasa-bound truck in Bandeu along the Araniko Highway in the district. The precious wood was hidden in the truck loaded with chicken’s droppings.  

April 4, 2013

http://www.ekantipur.com/2013/04/04/national/smuggling-of-khayar-trees-on-the-rise/369463.html