Male Mahadeshwara forest ranges have a varied habitat providing shelter to variety of plants and animals and the forest cover varies from semi- deciduous to deciduous with bushy and tall trees from sandal to teak and tamarind trees. These deciduous forest ranges spread over vast tract of land touching the Tamil Nadu in the east and southern side have turned to be a abode for the poachers and smugglers. Especially after the elimination of Veerappan and his gang members small gangs have sprang up and are indulging in the illegal activities. In the recent past couple of the gangs are even resorting to poaching of elephants to extract the tusks and felling of sandal trees which have a high market value in the country and outside.

According to forest department sources many gangsters who reside in the villages on Tamil Nadu side bordering these forest ranges have made it a habit to foray into the Male Mahadeshwara forest ranges and return back with the booty and carcass of the poached animals to their villages giving a slip to the Karnataka forest department officials. What has come has a hindrance to the Karnataka forest department officials is earlier when Veerappan existed, the joint task force constituted for the purpose had powers and permission to invade and search the villages located in both the states. But now with the disbanding of the joint task force the hands of the Karnataka forest department officials have tied down with they having no permission to enter the Tamil Nadu villages in search of poachers and the timber smugglers. If they had to take up this exercise they have complete various legal formalities which appears to be tedious process in the event of emergencies.

It is said that increased demand for the bison and deer meat in Tamil Nadu has propped up these small gangs to enter the Karnataka forest and kill the animals before fleeing with the meat. Recently even in an incident poachers even challenged the forest officials and fled the spot after firing on them. This incident shook the moral of the wild life officials and decided to screen the whole sanctuary to get rid of the antisocial elements.

Speaking to TOI Ajay Misra APCCF( Wild life) said the intention to take up this special combing operation led by a team of task force officials of the Nagarahole Wild life division is intended to disallow the small time poachers and smugglers to establish themselves and spread their wings. He said this combing operation will also help the wild life officials to know the modus operandi and the foot prints and history of the poachers and smugglers. "We are collecting information and details of the poachers and smugglers and soon they will be arrested and a data base will be created on them" he said denying the apprehensions that these poachers and smugglers have a potential to grow big life Veerappan. " We will keep these anti-social elements under check" he said and added that they are specially watching the activities of one Sharavanan who is increasingly getting involved in poaching activities.