Bengaluru: Bengaluru is fast becoming a hub of illegal wildlife trade. Data from the Forest Department suggest that the city is being used as a conduit point for supply and export of wildlife articles worldwide and several wild animals in the state’s forests are falling prey to such demands.
The Urban Forest Division of Bengaluru has booked a record number of forest offence cases in the last six months and generated record revenue of Rs 32 lakh in the same period. The five divisions – Anekal, Bengaluru, Kaggalipura, K.R. Puram and Yelahanka accounted for close to 250 forest offence cases and Yelahanka division levied the highest fine of Rs 11 lakh followed by K.R. Puram division with Rs 10 lakh through forest office cases.
It’s not just poaching of wildlife, but illegal transportation of granite slabs, and transportation of unauthorised minor forest produce (MFP) that were confiscated during the last six months. Most of the cases were booked during the night hours and the operation was aptly named ‘Operation Kala Bhairava’ (the king of night).
Not only this, sandalwood smuggling in Bengaluru too has comedown by 50% after the Urban division started the operation which was mooted by former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) General, A.K. Varma.
“Many granite trucks pass through city without permits and such trucks were booked, chased and caught on some occasions. We shall continue with the night vigil in city so that the forest offences cases are regulated,” said Appu Rao, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bengaluru Urban Division.
