It has been found that more than 100 trees have been stolen in the Gourishankar Community Forest of Dodhara Chandni Municipality-1, where the dry port is supposed to be built, before the tree felling was started. It was found that 109 trees that were felled for felling at the dry port construction site were stolen.

"Most of the trees in the said community forest are pole-size and a few are big, pole-size and larger trees have been found to have been stolen," said Purushottam Wagle, conservation officer of Shuklaphanta National Park, "trees that have been cut for cutting have been stolen." 

For the construction of the dry port, 1,702 trees in 42 hectares of Gaurishankar community forest had to be cut. Accordingly, the conservation officer Wagle said that the printing was done. All the trees were counted last November before the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department certified the trees to be felled.

Wagle-led study team had ordered the cutting after submitting its report. After the theft of trees, the park asked the community forest officer for an explanation. In the explanation, the community forest officials have stated that there is smuggling in the forests of the border area, because Masanghat is also nearby, trees are cut for funerals and wild animals such as elephants and tigers come and there is a problem because they cannot patrol at night. 

"The trees were washed away by the river and some were stolen," said Damodar Prasad Bhatt, president of the community forest.

Initially, 1,702 trees had to be cut in 42 hectares for the dry port. After cutting down 109 trees, now 1595 trees will have to be cut down. Currently, tree felling is being done under the guidance of park staff. The felled wood is being piled up in Piparia of the park.