The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has issued a red alert for tiger reserves, thanks to active hunting gangs in tiger-bearing areas like Satpura, Tadoba, Pench, Corbett, Amangarh, Pilibhit, Valmiki, Rajaji, Balaghat, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur. The WCCB, responsible for handling and investigating wildlife-related crimes, has issued the red alert circular to all principal chief conservators of forests (PCCF) wildlife and field directors of tiger reserves and national parks. All pictures: File photos
Updated On: 2023-07-29 12:30 PM IST
Compiled by : Editor
Among these, 46 were adult tigers, four were sub-adult tigers, 11 were cubs, and the ages of 34 remain unknown. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of tiger deaths, 25; followed by Maharashtra, 18; Uttrakhand, 12; Karnataka, nine; Kerala, eight, Uttar Pradesh, five; Assam, six, Rajasthan, four; Tamil Nadu, two; Bihar, two; and Odisha, two.
The circular, titled ‘Red alert about the threat of tiger poaching’, signed by H V Girisha, IFS, additional director of WCCB in New Delhi, states, “This is to alert the field directors of all tiger reserves and officials regarding the outer areas of tiger reserves, including tiger-bearing areas, based on credible inputs received by the bureau and revelations of recent seizures that organised hunting gangs are active around various tiger reserves.”
The letter also instructs field directors and officials to immediately intensify patrolling, visit identified sensitive areas, search for suspected nomadic people in tents, temples, railway stations, bus stations, abandoned buildings, and public shelter places, inform officials of all concerned police stations, and sanitise the aforementioned areas as a preventive measure.
Mahip Gupta, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), said, “After a gap of around 10 months, we have received a red alert from WCCB informing us that organised hunting gangs are seen active around various tiger reserves. We have taken note of this, and all the field directors of tiger reserves and national parks in Maharashtra have been alerted. Instructions have been given to intensify patrolling not just within the forest but also outside it.”
Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar, field director of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), said, “On a regular basis, our team has been conducting extensive patrols both inside and outside the reserve. We will take appropriate action if we discover any individuals, groups, or activities that raise questions within our jurisdiction.”
Wildlife conservationist Kedar Gore of the Corbett Foundation emphasises the importance of sharing this red alert by WCCB. He hopes that concerned officials will act urgently to prevent any tiger poaching attempts.
