SGNP officials say it was a bigger group, but many fled on seeing the patrol team; those caught face trespassing charge
The arrested youths and the spot they were caught partying
The patrol party of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) caught a dozen people partying and consuming alcohol in the Aarey forest on Saturday night. The revellers have been charged for trespassing, said officials.
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Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Clement Ben, SGNP Director G Mallikarjun, SGNP Deputy Director Uday Dhage and Assistant Conservator of Forest Jagannath Kamble accompanied 25-30 Forest Department staff members for patrolling, following a tip-off from local wildlife enthusiasts. After inspecting five-six locations, they saw a group of people partying. Many of them fled upon seeing the patrol party, but the staff managed to nab 12 people against whom a trespass case had been registered.
Ben said, “The recently notified forests of Aarey have a few tribal hamlets. Of late, there have been incidents of trespassing at night. Combing operations shall be conducted on a regular basis to prevent illegal activities and man-animal conflict inside the national park.” Mallikarjun, also the conservator of forest, said, “In the coming days, we plan to conduct more night patrolling in the Aarey forest.
Strict action will be taken against those who trespass into the forest. Our staff in-charge has also been instructed to make sure that no encroachment takes place in the areas under our jurisdiction.” Patrolling in Aarey Milk Colony was intensified after 812 acre of area was declared forest earlier. The SGNP has started installing concrete pillars to demarcate the boundary, in an attempt to prevent trespass.
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