The scourge of sandalwood theft in Pune shows no signs of abating, with 25 cases reported in the city over the past nine months. Disturbingly, many of these incidents have occurred at what should be secure locations, including properties owned by the government and defense authorities.
Despite the presence of security guards in these areas, the audacious sandalwood thieves have managed to brazenly cut down the precious trees and escape without being apprehended. According to data from the city police, a total of 82 cases have been reported over the last four years, with the majority of them concentrated in Zone 4 of the Pune city police commissionerate.
Out of the 25 cases reported this year, 13 were from areas under the jurisdiction of Khadki, Chaturshringi, Dattawadi, Alankar, and Khadki police stations. The police have made headway in solving approximately 10 to 11 of these cases, identifying a recurring pattern in the modus operandi.
Officials reveal that stolen sandalwood trees are often transported to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, where they find buyers in illegal markets. The illegal trade in sandalwood not only poses a significant threat to the region’s forests but also results in substantial financial losses.
The thefts have even targeted some of the most secure locations in the city, including Rajbhavan, Khadki Ammunition Factory, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), National Institute for Business Management (NIBM), and numerous properties owned by both central and state governments and defense personnel.
Efforts to curb this escalating problem include enhanced security measures and collaborative investigations between various police stations, with the hope of stemming the tide of sandalwood theft that plagues Pune.
