Forest department, green activists differ on poaching cases

The Pioneer , Thursday, July 09, 2009
Correspondent : PNS | Rishikesh

The rise in frequency of persons being caught with pelts and body parts of poached animals in Terai region is being considered an indicator of precarious condition of wildlife by local environmental activists. However, Forest department officials claim that the increase in number of arrest is a positive sign of the improved work efficiency of forest police.

Local environmentalists deny the validity of such claims and warn that irrespective of the statistical accuracy of forest department, the range of animals targeted by poachers has been broadened in addition to a steady increase in poaching and capture of creatures, including colourful birds high in demand as house pets. It indicates thriving illegal international trade in exotic animal species, they added.

It is pertinent to mention that though human-animal conflict is the most fussed about issue for local residents, neither the locals nor the officials concerned have acknowledged their own role in the creation of conflict situations in the forests of Uttarakhand. Regarding the poaching of animals in protected forest areas, officials of the forest department vouch for the efficacy and importance of operation monsoon.

During the rainy season, forest department conducts operation monsoon in most protected forest areas, including Rajaji National Park and Corbett Tiger Reserve, where regular patrolling and anti-poacher campaigns are conducted with the specific target of preventing wildlife poaching and theft of tree and related forest products.

Apart from poachers being native of different Districts of Uttarakhand, the major threat to wildlife in protected forests is presented by specialist poacher gangs which are native of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and other States, who commit wildlife poaching and related crimes in more than one Indian State.

On condition of anonymity, an official of the forest department said that the State intelligence had also warned the forest department about the threat posed by the inter-State gangs of poachers, considering which senior department officials are reported to have instructed forest guards and personnel with licensed firearms to unhesitatingly use their weapons in self defense when confronting armed poachers.

The gangs of armed poachers are known to lead a nomadic life traveling to different locations in forests using tents for shelter and without staying in one location for more than 48 hours. During the past decade, such gangs are reported to have cultivated links among residents of the several villages located in the fringe area of protected national parks.

Working relations with villagers benefit the poachers and enables them to stay out of the reach of law. However, in order to tackle the menace of poachers, the forest department has increased the number forest security guards and stepped up vigilance.

 
SOURCE : Thursday, July 09, 2009
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us