Timber smugglers, with the help of forest officials, have cut down invaluable sal trees worth millions of rupees and smuggled them to India. This unhealthy trend, nurtured by political leaders, smugglers and district forest officials, has played a significant role in increasing the cross-border illegal trade. This apart, governments of the day have always protected such corrupt officials, smugglers and leaders who are directly involved in shady deals. (Editorial)