Two arrested; Rs. 7 lakh worth unpolished stones seized Madikeri: Illegal mining of precious and semi-precious stones has once again raised its ugly head inside the Reserve Forests of Kodagu, especially in the district’s border areas with Kerala and Hassan.  There are organised gangs that operate inside the thick forests and are plundering the forest…

Madikeri: Rampant illegal mining of precious stones has been reported from the Subramanya Range Forest of Dakshina Kannada, Koojimalai and Suttathmalai of Kodagu district where smugglers are unearthing gemstones hoodwinking the Forest Department.  These precious stones are extracted from the forests with the help of locals and are sold at a premium to luxury hotels,…