7 SUVs seized for off-roading in deemed forest near Sakleshpur, owners booked

HASSAN: Forest department officials have seized seven Mahindra Thar SUVs for illegally entering into a deemed forest near Hodachalli village in Sakleshpur taluk on Sunday. The occupants of the SUVs were off-roading in the vehicles..

A tourist group that had come from Bengaluru entered the deemed forest area illegally in seven SUVs and were off-roading and causing damage to the forest, environment, and wildlife in Survey Nos. 20, 21, and 28 of the deemed forest area at Hodachalli village.

A team led by the Sakleshpur Range Forest Officer raided the spot. They seized seven SUVs and registered a case under the Forest Act. The raid was conducted under the leadership of Forest department officials Manjunath, Arjun, and Mahadevappa.