Kolhapur: As many as 32 wild animals were hunted in the forest areas falling under the Kolhapur division's jurisdiction since 2013.
According to the data furnished by the forest department, the number of animals falling prey to hunters increased from six in 2013 to 16 in 2015. In 2013, six animals including two leopards and a deer were hunted. Next year, seven animals, including a barking deer and three red earth boas, fell prey to hunters. The number of wild animals killed in 2015 was 16. A couple of four-horned antelopes and two panthers were hunted down.
The forest department has arrested 84 offenders were responsible for poaching or killing wild animals in the last three years and registered 22 cases. In 2013, as many six cases were registered and 15 people were arrested, while the number of cases registered and people arrested was six and 28 persons respectively in 2014. As nine cases were registered in 2015, while the department arrested 29 offenders.
So far this year, altogether three wild animals, including two rabbits and one pangolin, have fallen prey to hunters. Forest officials have registered one case and has arrested 12 offenders till date.
Among the cases registered in the last three years, the court has convicted 12 offenders, while hearing of 16 cases is underway at present.
The Kolhapur circle of the forest department includes Kolhapur, Satara, Sawantwadi, Sangli and Chiplun divisions.
Admitting to the rise in the killing of wild animals, Kolhapur divisional officer (wildlife) SitaramZure said, "We are aware that the number of animals killed in the forest areas has increased. However, we are trying our best to keep a check on hunters. We have installed trap cameras at various places in the deep forest areas and have taken a number of measures such as closing down the short cuts and kuccha roads leading to forests. This will definitely help us nab the culprits. We always ensure that once we arrest any hunter or poacher, he gets convicted to set an example for others."
"A vast area falls under the division covering Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts. We need additional staff to look after the forest cover to ensure that hunting and poaching activities are prohibited. People also should be aware of these activities and tell us if they come across any such incident. We will take immediate action," he said.
Among the major wild animals killed in the last three years include deer, barking deer, leopards, bison, red earth boas, Bengal monitor lizards, sambar and four-horned antelopes.
