Foresters in Bandipur asked to stay vigilant against poaching activity

TNN | May 2, 2020, 04:51 IST

Mysuru: Officials at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR), anxious to prevent forest fires that are worryingly common during the summer months, have been given another reason to worry: Inspector general of the National Tiger Conservation Authority NS Murali has informed the foresters at BTR about a band of poachers lurking on the fringes of the woods. Murali has reportedly relayed to the foresters at Bandipur that the poachers are armed with country-made firearms.
Forest department officials at Bandipur said that they had arrested several poachers in the past few weeks, and added that Chamarajanagar police had been intimated to act against those in possession of illegal arms.
In his letter that BTR officials received on Tuesday, Murali has asked the foresters to remain on guard against poaching activity, which he suspected was likely to spike during the lockdown. “In view of such a possibility, it is requested that all field formations, and members of the anti-poaching camp network are on high alert, and appropriate steps taken to apprehend the poachers,” the letter added.
Murali confirmed to TOI that the National Tiger Conservation Authority had learnt about poachers being active in the area through their intelligence network. “Owing to the lockdown, meat is in short supply and the poachers are trying to exploit this to further their ends. This advisory has been issued so as to prevent loss of wildlife,” he said.
On the other hand, foresters have already nabbed many poachers who were caught red-handed trying to smuggle meat out of the woods. BTR field director T Balachandra, confirming that they had received Murali’s letter, said that the foresters at the reserve had foiled the plans of six gangs of hunters. “I will write to Chamarajanagar police to file a case against these poachers on the fringes under sections of the Arms Act,” Balachandra said.