Experts want CBI to probe tiger poaching case

The Times of India , Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Correspondent : Vijay Pinjarkar

NAGPUR: Poachers killed 10 tigers between 2002 and 2004 in Sariska in Rajasthan wiping out the entire population of big cats in the tiger reserve. The resulting uproar led the prime minister to order a CBI probe into the incident. That probe showed result with main accused Sansar Chand being arrested.

The situation in Central India's tiger parks is worse than Sariska where poacher gangs have admitted to killing at least 11 tigers since last monsoon. Wildlife experts have called for a CBI probe into this case as well. The confession came from three poachers belonging to notorious Baheliya community from Katni arrested here. They also admitted to have sold five tiger skins and body parts to a Delhi-based agent.

Conservationists point out that crime has been spread over multiple states with tigers poached in Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh and skins sold in Delhi. They also point to limited investigative capability and reach that forest officials have. Wildlife conservationist and executive director of Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) Belinda Wright has called for a CBI probe into missing tigers in the region.

"The good news is that this case gives authorities information and an opportunity to address the problem of tiger poaching. But this cannot be done by the forest department. The investigations must be handed over to a high-level, independent, professional investigation agency such as the CBI," Wright told TOI. She added this was the only chance of curbing the problem and giving the wild tigers of Central India a fighting chance of survival. "The stakes are high and this was an incredible opportunity to do the right thing for India's national animal," she said.

Wright further said it was not difficult to secure future of wild tigers but first their widespread killings must stop. "We urgently need better intelligence, disciplined patrolling and effective monitoring, professional enforcement, informed and sincere investigations, and top-notch prosecutions. This is not an impossible dream. It can be achieved with good leadership and interdepartmental cooperation," she said.

The latest case indicates poachers operate in forests of Central India with impunity. "We have to face the fact that gangs continue to systematically target Central India, killing many tigers. For years, the authorities have avoided addressing the issue and have pretended that either poaching does not exist or it is under control, neither of which is true," Wright lamented.

In case of Sariska, the special investigation team (SIT) of CBI had probed five cases lodged between 1991 and 2005 on missing tigers and possible international links of poachers. In case of Melghat and other cases too, CBI needs to be involved.

According to poachers, they are targeting male tigers for their bigger skins. Locals regularly monitoring areas like Umred, Tumsar (Nagzira) and Melghat where different poachers gangs killed tigers now claim some popular males have not been sighted for long.

As per the scientific assessment by NTCA in 2010, there were 69 tigers in 2,610 sq km Tadoba landscape while Melghat recorded 35 tigers in 2,246 sq km area and Nagzira-Navegaon 20 in 765 sq km. Similarly, Pench (MP & Maharashtra) recorded 65 tigers in 2,547 sq km, besides Kanha showed a figure of 60 in 1,837 sq km and Bandhavgarh 59 in 1,579 sq km. Shockingly, tigers have been targeted in all these areas by Baheliya poachers. Though arrested poachers have claimed selling at least 11 skins, officials are probing into only a couple of cases. The next estimation, to be done in early 2014, may reveal the extent of damage.

Kishor Rithe, member, National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), said, "I've always demanded probe by SIT (special investigation team) and not CBI. We need a team that will not only dig out one particular case but all facts and set up a preventive mechanism that will scare Baheliya gangs from entering Maharashtra." "I've already taken up the issue with NBWL and also written to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan but there is no response," he said.

Valmik Thapar, conservationist and one of the world's leading experts on tigers, said there was no follow up after CBI investigation in Sariska and no one was punished or held accountable or answerable. "Poachers get away because of poor protection and bad training in anti-poaching measures. It is forest department's failure and should be corrected," he said.

Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), echoed the same feelings. Poaching incidents had occurred as there field staff was taking it easy. This could be gauged from the fact that recent mysterious deaths of tigers in Hingna and Deolapar ranges in Nagpur division could not be detected for nearly a month. CBI, being a national agency, could dig out facts, he felt.

Chittaranjan Dave, landscape coordinator at WWF-India in Mandla in MP, too blamed zero coordination between MP and Maharashtra forest officials. Despite tip-offs and alerts, poachers had their way, he said.

State ignored NTCA warning

Based on the poaching incidents in Tadoba buffer, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on April 27, 2012, had written to principal secretaries and chief wildlife wardens of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh about poachers targeting tiger reserves. NTCA warned the situation was serious and called to step up protection in and around parks by launching a special drive. Its following directives were ignored:

* Deploy anti-poaching squads comprising local workforce to assist frontline staff for intensive patrolling and combing sensitive areas

* Keep track of tigers and tigresses with cubs moving out of reserves and protected areas

* Ensure vigil near water points, barriers and highways while keeping track of traditional wandering gangs

* Build up intelligence in collaboration with the local intelligence unit of IB and police

* Keep track of cattle depredation by carnivores to prevent revenge killings

* Field director of tiger reserve be nominated as coordinator for liaisoning with officers of territorial divisions.

BLOODY TRAIL

* On August 21, 2012, a leading NGO alerted officials about presence of Baheliya poachers Luchi and Bharo in Saoli village near Buradghat in Paratwada

* Two arrested poachers Mamru and Chika, now in forest custody, revealed that their gang members killed a tiger in Melghat in October first week 2012

* During the same period, different gangs targeted tigers in Pench-Kanha corridor, they said

* In November-December, poachers led by Rokin killed tigers near Nagzira. Rokin gang was active in corridor between Gondia and Balaghat

* In December, arrested Chika and others sold two skins of tigers killed near Nagzira and returned to their native place in Katni. Their other gang members were still present in Mansar near Ramtek

* During the same period, Nagpur forest officials were alerted about poachers gang in Mansar but they gave slip to officials

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Experts-want-CBI-to-probe-tiger-poaching-case/articleshow/20656079.cms
 


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