Karwar: A visit was given by the forest officials here at Kodibag on Wednesday in response to the wake of complaints by local people that kandla trees were being destroyed.

The work was stopped by the department officials. The locals had complained that the Kandlava region on the banks of river Kali had been encroached and filled with soil in order to expand the area to construct a fish market there at Kodibag.

When further investigation was done, it came to light that some Kandla trees were uprooted using a JCB. The land army officers were questioned by the forest officers about their contract, they said, "This land has been identified for construction of fish market. The land is being leveled as per instruction of Additional DC. But Kandla trees have not been destroyed”.

"In the last few days, mud is being used to level the ground on the river and many Kandla trees have been destroyed", said the locals and questioned the officials as to why forest department was not taking any action against this.