NAGPUR: State principal chief conservator of forests for wildlife Sarjan Bhagat has directed the officials concerned to expedite investigations into tiger poaching cases which have been pending for long.
On Tuesday, head of forest force (HoFF) AK Saxena chaired a meeting of the steering committee on tiger poaching cases. Based on a complaint, the prime minister's office (PMO) has sought a report on rampant poaching of tigers in the region in 2012-13.
The forest department has registered 15 preliminary offence reports in poaching of tigers. However, only two to three offences were investigated while territorial and wildlife wing officials are sitting over remaining cases, specially those registered at Katol, Sevagram, Ranala, Khumari and Akot.
"We have asked the investigating officials to probe the pending cases and merge certain offences. Another purpose of the meeting was to update officials on the latest status of the offences with change in government at the Centre and state," said Bhagat.
"We will submit a report to PMO in the first week of November," he added.
