ADILABAD: Once known as Adavula Jilla (“district of forests”), Adilabad is now struggling to protect its forests and biodiversity. Serious efforts are needed amid rising wood smuggling, even as podu cultivators say, “Kothadi kottam… kottu kunnadi vadalam.”
Some members of the Multhani (also spelled Multani) community have allegedly been involved in teakwood smuggling in Nirmal and Adilabad districts. The Multhanis are often described as a nomadic tribal Muslim community with origins in present day Pakistan, believed to have migrated to Telangana during the Nizam period and settled over time in the Ichoda area.
Forest officials and staff say they are now fearful after recent attacks allegedly by Multhani groups on forest and police teams attempting to raise plantations on encroached forest land at Keshavapatnam in Ichoda mandal.
Adilabad divisional forest officer Prashanth Bajirao Patil said weapons are needed for self-protection against wood smugglers and to curb poaching of tigers and other wildlife in the erstwhile Adilabad district. He alleged that a local timber smuggler, who intends to contest upcoming local body elections, provoked villagers against forest staff. He added that establishing a special police station at Sirichelma would help control teakwood smuggling and protect the forests.
According to the DFO, Multhani-dominated areas show a heightened crime rate and a diminished fear of law. He said Adivasis originally lived in several villages where Multhani families later settled, “hijacking” those villages. He estimated that about 1,600 hectares of forest land have been encroached and that dense forests remain mainly in the Pembed (Pembi) and Khanapur areas, which also face threats. He said Multhani settlement in the Ichoda region grew notably in the 1970s, and that some now view the area as their “Ghad” and resist legal processes.
Statistics indicate rampant tree felling in Ichoda, Indravelli, Khanapur, Jannaram, and Kadam mandals, parts of which fall under the Kawal Tiger Reserve, over the past 15 years.
The podu land issue is now a major challenge in Multhani-dominated areas. Recently, officials inspected forest land allegedly encroached in Compartment No. 174 at Babjipet in the Sirichelma Forest Range, Ichoda mandal. It was found that each Multhani family holds an average of 17 acres of podu land. Forest officials say they are offering alternative livelihoods if families surrender the land.
Local leaders of major political parties are reportedly supporting Multhani groups, eyeing an estimated 5,000 votes in the Boath Assembly constituency. The Multhani population is said to be around 6,500 in Adilabad district. Some political leaders are accused of using Multhani workers in illegal teak smuggling by advancing money for supplies.
Officials said many Multhani families applied for pattas under ROFR when the state government invited applications from tribals and non tribals before the last Assembly elections during the BRS regime.
In the past, Multhani groups allegedly hijacked heavy vehicles at knifepoint on NH-44, loaded them with teak timber, and dumped the wood at predetermined locations. According to sources, six forest staff have died so far in attacks with sharp weapons by wood smugglers in the old Adilabad district. Some members of the Vaddera community in the Kadam area are also reportedly involved in wood smuggling.
At a past counselling meeting, Multhani community leaders alleged that some forest and police officials forced them into teakwood smuggling and supported the activity, suggesting a nexus between certain officials and smugglers.
Despite these claims, there has been little development among many Multhani families, who remain poor and lack basic amenities. Illiteracy is cited as a factor pushing some towards illegal smuggling, which others view as a quick way to make money.
Multhani settlements are concentrated in Ichoda and Sirikonda mandals, with villages deep inside forest areas. A departmental survey reportedly found encroachments averaging 15–17 acres per family, totaling about 3,920 acres of forest land. Nearly 1,000 Multhani families are settled in Keshavapatnam, Gundala, Yellammaguda, and Jogipet areas of Ichoda and Sirikonda mandals.
Forest officials say they have prepared a rehabilitation package offering financial assistance for kirana shops, autorickshaws, and other livelihoods. Plans were also made to conduct a socioeconomic survey of Multhani families and appoint a special officer for rehabilitation. Senior police officers have repeatedly counselled Multhani leaders and alleged smugglers, urging youth and elders to quit teak smuggling and promising skill development training and employment opportunities, with limited success so far.
Previously, Adilabad police detained a notorious alleged wood smuggler, Sheikh Shabbir (30) of Keshavapatnam, under the Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (PD Act). He is alleged to be involved in 12 cases registered by police stations in Neredigonda, Ichoda, Gudihathnur, and Adilabad, and nine cases by the forest department.