Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University has said that reports claiming sandalwood trees were cut and smuggled from the Veterinary Research Centre in Kattupakkam are false.
It has clarified that no sandalwood trees were maintained on the campus. Under the control of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, reports recently emerged that sandalwood trees worth several crores had been cut and smuggled from the Veterinary Research Centre operating in Kattupakkam, Chengalpattu district.
This has been denied by the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. In this regard, the university registrar, R. Narendra Babu, issued a statement: No sandalwood trees are being maintained at the Kattupakkam Veterinary Research Centre.
Several years ago, teak trees that had fallen and dried up due to the impact of Cyclone Vardah were already removed through auction by a committee constituted by the university and comprising government officials.
At present, for maintenance reasons, only the tree branches that were obstructing high-voltage power lines and water pipelines, and the branches that were to be used as green fodder for livestock, were removed.
The university’s pricing committee priced it, sold it, and the proceeds were credited to the university account.
The livestock research center is under 24-hour surveillance. There is no possibility for anyone unauthorized to enter or to remove the trees. It was stated thus.