The frequent poaching of blackbucks in some areas of Sriganganagar district has triggered protest among Bishnoi community which alleges that as many as 60 cases of blackbuck poaching were reported in the past six months.

The latest incident took place near 6 TK village near Muklawa town. The villagers saw the blackbuck caught in a trap laid there by poachers. They immediately informed the forest officials but the rescue team did not arrive for three hours. Meanwhile, the leg of the animal, which was trapped, almost chopped off.

The forest department has registered an FIR against unidentified poachers under various sections of Wildlife Protection Act.

Nanu Ram Bishnoi, an animal activist said that the Muklawa area alone is home to nearly 2,500 blackbucks. "However, over the past few months, the increasing incidents of poaching have posed a threat to their safe existence. As many as 60 cases of poaching have been reported in Sriganganagar district over the past six months. Nearly 20 blackbucks were shot dead," said Bishonoi.

He added that FIRs are registered against unidentified people but the investigation is not conducted properly. "Due to this, the poachers roam around scot-free. Without fear of law it is not possible to check these incidents. We have submitted a memorandum to the local district administration officers addressing the chief minister Ashok Gehlot. We have demanded in the memorandum that these incidents of poaching be stopped," said Bishnoi.

Bishnoi alleged that the forest officials don't reach the spot on time even when they are informed of a poaching incident.

However, officials said that majority of the poaching incidents were reported in the revenue land area instead of forest area in Sriganganagar.

"These animals sometime enter the agriculture farms following which they become a prey. We are trying to step up vigilance," said ranger Prithviraj Meghwal.