The forest department officials of four north Telangana districts have formulated a joint strategy to curb timber smuggling which is on the rise for the past few years making a major dent in forest wealth of the region. Valuable woods are being cut down in Adilabad, Nizamabad , Karimnagar and Warangal districts by smugglers to make a fast buck. The timber, after being shifted to nearby sawmills, is illegally transported to safer destinations.