NAGPUR: The forest department managed to bring in Rs 1.43 crore for upgradation of Seminary Hills especially jogger’s track, the dream project of forest minister Babanrao Pachpute, but its own anti-poaching unit on an average is dying for want of funds, thanks to the government apathy.
On August 30, 1980, the state government had set up two anti-poaching units — one in Thane and the other in Nagpur. Earlier, these units were attached to wildlife circles but two years ago came under the purview of chief conservator of forests (territorial). On November 17, 2008, the state government ratified its transfer to the territorial circles.
The anti-poaching unit at Nagpur, having jurisdiction for Nagpur, South Chandrapur, North Chandrapur and Amravati Circles, is passing through a critical phase. With meagre funds and staff crunch, it is somehow managing the show. On an average the unit at Nagpur gets Rs 6,000 towards fuel and vehicle repairs. There is no provision for secret funds through which the squad could develop its intelligence network.
According to sources, due to lack of funds and poor infrastructure, working of the unit, which is empowered to carry out raids anywhere in Vidarbha to check poaching activities and illegal sale of scheduled birds and animals under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, has confined to only Nagpur district.
For the last several years the squad has not explored poaching rackets operating in Chandrapur, Gondia and Bhandara districts. Man-animal conflict is raging with dwindling prey base as one of the main reasons.
The unit has five members — an ACF, RFO, forester, guard and a driver. The RFO fails to justify his anti-poaching responsibilities as he is burdened with additional charge of RFO (technical), the post which has not been filled for the past two years. The lone forest guard with the unit is said to be holding dual charges. The forester has been transferred to Kondhali but has not been relieved yet.
Sources said, the only four-wheeler with the unit, a 20-year-old Gypsy, is crumbling. It is equipped with wireless which has gone lifeless for last two years.
The vehicle too needs frequent repairs. There are no motorbikes or walkie-talkies with the unit staff. Currently, the staff tries to gather intelligence by spending from their pockets and move on their own vehicles.
The anti-poaching unit this year has successfully nabbed number of culprits by carrying out 13 raids in the district. Sources said, sometimes the unit staff risk their lives to keep track of the poachers.
Earlier, there used to be four policemen with the anti-poaching unit but now there is none. The department doesn’t even have a custody (room) so that wildlife offenders can be remanded.
“The forest minister ensured that there is no fund crunch to develop a jogging-cum-walking track for city’s richie-rich in Seminary Hills, a reserve forest and Grade-I heritage structure. An amount of Rs 50 lakh has been spent on the track, but the anti-poaching unit is being left to die its own death,” conservationists told TOI.
When contacted, Jwala Prasad, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Maharashtra, admitted the fact that the anti-poaching units needs to be strengthened for better results. “On Wednesday, I had called a meeting of officials of two units to discuss measures which need to be taken to upgrade
these units. However, as officials from Thane skipped, the meet was cancelled.”
