From what I've heard, the removal of these wood or even old wood from old buildings is done by other parties in which they charge a minimal sum for the work but are given the rights to the salvaged material.

In essence the material belongs to these people and not the main con. Chances are the collection of the sleepers in one area is for KTM to account for the work done (just my presumption) hence why accounting for a loss of 5 sleeper rails is a big thing.

These old railway sleepers are getting really hard to come by, especially ones in decent shape.