Poaching on the rise in Rajasthan, two held at MHTR

TNN | Updated: May 3, 2020, 08:36 IST

Poachers captured in a camera trap inside the premises of MHTR

JAIPUR: The coronavirus pandemic seems to be fuelling an increase in poaching in Rajasthan. Armed poachers have been captured on a camera trap inside the core area of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR).
This is the fourth incident ever since the lockdown when poachers with weapons entered inside a national park, sanctuary or tiger reserve in the state, and were captured on camera.
As per the latest report, near Kheda Nakka Chowki at MHTR, a CCTV camera on Thursday night captured three persons, with one of them carrying a gun. Deputy conservator of forest T Mohan Raj said, “We arrested two poachers inside the tiger reserve on Friday. One of them was carrying a gun. Acting on a tip-off by our informer, we increased the patrolling in the sensitive areas, where these poachers’ movement was recorded. On Friday, we successfully nabbed two poachers and are investigating further.”
Sources said, these poachers are from the bordering village, Gudda Rajpura. Experts say the impact of Covid-19 on the livelihoods of poor people has contributed to an increase in poaching activities in the area. “The villagers of the bordering area are mostly tribal and employed by mine owners. As these mines are closed due to lockdown, the miscreants are entering the park for hunting,” said a local wildlife enthusiast.
Lockdown measures and no tourism have given free rein to the poachers to roam and hunt endangered species. Earlier on April 25, in the village of Olwada panchayat adjoining Ranthambore National Park (RNP), four poachers killed a chinkara. No arrest has been made till date.
Two days before the incident, on April 23, four poachers were caught in a camera trap with weapons in their hands at Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur.
Similarly, on April 1, a father-son duo was nabbed with a gun at Kala Devi Sanctuary in Karauli district. A senior forest official said, as movement of villagers and authorities is restricted, poachers are trying to take advantage of the lockdown. He added, “Many people are returning to their villages from other areas. They include people with a criminal mentality, who encourage the locals to enter the forest for hunting.”