It will be altogether a different game for the sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who have been assigned the task of identifying "Sansarchands" (the name which reminds us of a dreaded poacher of recent times) in the country and especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The three-member committee formed at the behest of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to look into the allegations of extinction of tigers in Sariska in Rajasthan and other tiger reserves, has many more things to do.
The team which is headed by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of CBI VK Sharma has given certain concrete recommendations to curb poaching of tigers.
In the wake of large-scale poaching of tigers and other animals from UP and Bihar forests, the team, which included a reader of the National Wildlife Institute of Dehradun and a director-level officer from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, has suggested that a list of poachers be prepared. The team has suggested that the CBI should be assigned the task of preparing the list of poachers most of whom are in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The committee which has expressed unhappiness over the status of tigers in the reserved forests, has suggested that once the poachers' list is being prepared armed guards as well as other security agencies should keep tabs on them. Once these poachers are identified, the state governments should take strict action under the National Wildlife Security Act.
At present there are 27 tiger reserves in the entire country and most of them are facing danger due to the constant interaction and interference of humans and poaching. Particularly the Dudhwa National Park, which once used to be the natural habitat of tigers, is facing a threat due to the over-interference of human population.
As per the committee over two dozen villages adjoining Dudhwa will have to be relocated to safeguard the endangered animals. There have been reports of tigers fleeing to villages from Dudhwa National Park and being killed later on.
The findings of the committee will be handed over to the states where tiger reserves are situated.
The report clearly indicates that poaching gangs are operating in Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Balrampur, Pilibhit and Nainital districts in UP and Uttaranchal and tigers are their main target. For the staff of Dudhwa National Park the committee has recommended national-level training to enable them to take on the poachers.
