The seizure of khair wood, worth approximately Rs 2 lakh, by the Goa Forest Department on March 26, 2025, brings to the fore the growing menace of illegal logging and smuggling of valuable and protected trees from the State.
Over the past five years, khair wood smuggling in Goa has evolved from a local nuisance to a major organised syndicate. The roots of the smuggling can be traced to the depletion of khair wood reserves in the neighbouring Konkan region of Maharashtra.
Given this fact, it is not surprising that the mastermind of the March 26 episode is, as per the forest department officials, from Maharashtra. With no more reserves of Khair wood left in Maharashtra, the smugglers have turned their attention to Goa's forests to feed their greed for easy money.
Khair trees, native to barren lands in the Konkan region, are valuable due to the catechu extract, commonly known as 'katha', which has good demand in tobacco and pan masala industries. This high demand in the face of limited supply has led to a price rise, making khair a target of smugglers’ gangs.
With no more reserves of Khair wood left in Maharashtra, the smugglers have turned their attention to Goa's forests to feed their greed for easy money.
The implications of khair smuggling can be profound for a small State like Goa in the form of biodiversity loss at a time when global climate change is a reality, and one that cannot be ignored. A loss of these trees will destabilise Goa's ecosystem, affecting the food chain and leading to the loss of Goa's natural heritage.
The smuggling of these trees poses a serious threat to Goa's economy, especially the tourism industry. The continued depletion of this tree cover will reduce the appeal of the State as a tourist destination and affect various industries, including agriculture. It will also hinder wildlife conservation efforts.
The Goa Forest Department is facing multiple challenges to contain the smuggling of these trees. The first and crucial hurdle is the shortage of manpower and vehicles to monitor 1,200 square kilometres of area, which is one-third of Goa's total landmass.
With 420 forest guards to patrol the vast expanse, it is impossible to ensure that every vulnerable area is secured. The standard ratio of one guard for every 16 square kilometres area is a national guideline that cannot be met in Goa given the manpower shortage.
The standard ratio of one guard for every 16 square kilometres area is a national guideline that cannot be met in Goa given the manpower shortage.
Compounding the Forest Department's woes are Goa's porous borders and the hidden smuggler routes. Despite continuous monitoring that has resulted in several raids, the smugglers' networks continue to grow, often supported by locals who see this activity as an easy source of income.
The battle against khair smuggling is far from won. If it has to, then the key will be the involvement of citizens, who can play a pivotal role by reporting any suspicious activities or movements in their respective areas.
However, the primary responsibility vests with the government, which is duty-bound to equip the Forest Department with manpower and modern tools to combat the menace. The government must prioritise the recruitment of additional forest guards and ensure a better intelligence-gathering network.
Unless there are concerted and coordinated efforts made with the neighbouring State to rein in the smugglers of khair, this lucrative illegal activity will go on and the resultant loss will be that of nature. And it is we who will have to face the consequences.
However, the primary responsibility vests with the government, which is duty-bound to equip the Forest Department with manpower and modern tools to combat the menace.
With this illegal trade thriving on the back of easy profits, it is akin to the drug menace that has plagued Goa for years. The efforts of the Goa Forest Department, though commendable, need more support from the government and also the general public.
If the smuggling of khair wood is left unchecked, the consequences for Goa's environment and economy will be dire. Now is the time for a collective response to protect Goa's forest resources and secure the State's future.