Camera traps ‘catch’ poachers in Melghat

Nagpur: Camera traps help capture wildlife movement, but Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) officials have arrested six persons caught on camera while entering the reserve with hunting dogs, apparently with the intention of poaching.
“The accused were nabbed after they were caught on camera traps installed between May 5 and June 5, 2020, as part of the tiger monitoring programme. On June 6, officials saw footage of the accused, chasing wild animals with dogs and axes in their hands,” said APCCF & field director MS Reddy.
The accused have been identified as Nitesh Kasdekar (23), Sagar More (20), Sanju Belsare (21), Ritesh Belsare (19), Jaipal Kasdekar (22), and Sanju Belsare (23), all residents of Salona village in Chikhaldara range.
All were remanded to forest custody (FCR) till June 30 by Achalpur JMFC. RFO AK Joshi said the accused will be produced in court on Wednesday.
The accused were found moving in Ghatang range in Masondi beat, which is a highly sensitive beat. Earlier, in 2013, organized gangs of Baheliya poachers had killed a sloth bear, tigers and leopards in this beat. While several accused are still absconding, several were arrested and later convicted.