Though the Forest Department is officially undertaking measures to prevent the poaching of wild animals, wildlife activists allege that the trapping of smaller creatures including birds and reptiles has continued at an alarming rate in the forests of the State.

The police recently arrested a hunter trapping birds in the jungles of Doiwala area and recovered nets and other tools used in hunting from him. The arrested poacher has confessed to the police that he used to either trap or hunt birds, mongoose, civets and snakes from the forests in Doiwala and Lacchiwala areas and sell them to local buyers.

The poacher was arrested after the police acted on a tip off received from an informant and raided the Lal Tappad area. A man was seen loitering in a dubious manner in the forest area.

On checking him the police recovered a net and other tools used for hunting and trapping birds and animals. The poacher who was identified as Sapera Basti resident Negi Raj has confessed to the police that he frequently either trapped or killed birds, reptiles and smaller mammals in the forests near the Doiwala and Lacchiwala area.

He sold his kills and catches to local buyers.

The birds, reptiles and smaller mammals are either killed for their meat or they are sold live as their body parts are used in some black magic rituals. Apart from this these creatures especially birds and tortoise are also trapped and sold in the illicit pet trade.

While the department concerned is focusing most of its efforts to prevent poaching of larger wild animals like the tiger, leopard and elephants among others, effective measures necessary to stop the trapping and poaching of birds, reptiles and smaller mammals are not being executed in the State.

Wildlife activists allege that the illegal bush meat trade is also thriving as it is easy for one to procure meat of deer and birds killed in the forests of the State.