Growing sandalwood thefts a cause for concern in Pune

A spate of sandalwood tree thefts has led to a disturbing depletion of the city’s green cover, with the number of these trees significantly reduced in number over the past five years. Statistics from the Pune police indicate that in 2020-21 and 2021-22, at least 57 sandalwood trees were cut down and carted away by gangs. In 2019, a tree census conducted by Pune Municipal Corporation recorded 40,324 sandalwood trees. Past incidents According to the FIR lodged at Swargate police station, five unidentified individuals entered the Sushildatta Bungalow in Adarsh Nagar, Market Yard, on August 23 and cut down the sandalwood tree.