BANGALORE: The fragile tiger population in Nagarahole and Bandipur could be under threat. The notorious Katnny gang of poachers from Madhya Pradesh are reportedly moving around in the vicinity of the protected area raising concerns over the protection of this engendered species.
With hundreds of people gaining unauthorised entry to Nagarahole and Bandipur forests daily, the movement of these dangerous elements are well cloaked.
The ground level staff in the Forest Department has been alerted on their movement by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) (PCCF) recently.
In a letter that he shot off to the Field Director, Project Tiger, Mysore, with copies to all Conservators of Forests, the PCCF has directed that a special watch be mounted to guard against the entry of such groups. “Sometimes these elements come in the garb of agricultural labourers. They can be easily identified provided the frontline staff is alerted.
A special drive should be made to keep a watch on any movements of such people in and around our parks and sanctuaries,” the letter said. It is not for the first time that the movement of this gang has been reported from Nagarahole and Bandipur forests. During 2002, more than 15 members of the Katnny gang were arrested after a failed poaching attempt in Nagarahole forests. An adult male tiger however lost its paw when it tried escaping from the cast iron trap that the poachers had laid. The limb had to be amputated later. The Katnny gang are from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. A tribe of hunters also known as Paardhis, they have links with the Delhi-based wildlife offender Sansar Chand, who has been arrested following the disappearance of tigers in the Sariska national park.
Members of the Katnny gang specialise in laying jaw traps to poach tigers. The trap is loosely buried in the ground, and snaps shut when the tiger walks over it.
According to Praveen Bhargav, Trustee of Wildlife First it is important to “stop unauthorised entry into national parks and sanctuaries, especially in Bandipur and Nagarahole where thousands of people have unrestricted entry. A concerted effort has to be made by strengthening the protection measures.”
Wildlife enthusiasts point out that Sansar Chand used these skilled tribal people who have the skills to identify the elusive animal’s path and poach tigers in Sariska and other tiger havens in the country, especially in north and central India. The gang members network with the local poaching gangs in these areas and operate with their connivance. Further, they point out that these gangs could get a foothold in the area since the protection of wildlife is at its lowest in Karnataka
