Agar wood smuggling: One arrested from Rajdhani Express

A Correspondent

Agartala: Large-scale smuggling of Agar tree from North Tripura is rampant despite strict vigil from the police and the Forest Department. The arrest of one Souta Alam of Hojai in Assam on Monday while he was travelling in the Rajdhani Express with huge quantity of skins of Agar tree revealed the fact. Alam was released on bail but the Forest Department has confiscated the Agar skins recovered from him.

In the last four month, the Tripura police and the Assam Police have detained at least eight persons involved in Agar tree smuggling from the Tripura-Assam border and adjoining areas.

Agar is cultivated in at least 21 villages under Kadamtala and Kalacherra blocks bordering Assam. Agar wood has high demand in the international market due to its good fragrance and is being used in the manufacture of perfumes across the world.

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