LAKHIMPUR KHERI, July 11 -- At least three forest officials, including a forester, a forest guard and a logging assistant of the UP Forest Corporation, were suspended on Friday after a consignment of alleged illegally diverted khair (Acacia catechu) wood was recovered in Maheshpur forest range of south Kheri forest division on the night of July 5.

Preliminary investigation found that the khair wood, collected from the Dudhwa buffer zone, was allegedly being transported to a destination other than the designated UP Forest Corporation depot at Chhouch on the outskirts of Lakhimpur city.

Field director of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Dr H Rajamohan, who also holds additional charge as regional manager of the UP Forest Corporation in Lakhimpur ...