Major Action by the Forest Department in Mul City
Chandrapur (Mohammad Suleman Baig) :
On Wednesday evening, the Forest Department in Mul City, Chandrapur district, conducted a major operation against a poaching gang, taking nine people into custody, including five women. Several traps used for hunting were seized from them. The Forest Department suspects that this gang had been involved in poaching activities for a long time.
This action is expected to uncover a larger network linked to wildlife poaching. All the suspects are reportedly from Akola and Amravati districts. Preliminary investigations reveal that they were disguising themselves as fiber crockery sellers while engaging in poaching activities.
Forest Department Had Been Monitoring the Poachers for a Long Time
Officials from the Chichpalli and Mul (Buffer) Forest Ranges had been keeping a close watch on certain individuals from the Pardhi community due to suspicious activities. Based on this intelligence, a raid was conducted with the assistance of the Special Tiger Protection Force of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).
This joint operation was led by Chichpalli Forest Range Officer Priyanka Velme and Mul (Buffer) Forest Range Officer Rahul Karekar. Additionally, Umesh Zhire, head of the Sanjeevani Environment Organization, and his team also supported the operation.
How the Arrests Happened?
On Wednesday evening, the Forest Department raided the settlement behind the Mul bus stand, where the suspects were residing.
➡️ During the search of their premises, a woman was found in possession of hunting traps measuring three feet in length,
➡️ The seized traps included two small ones and one large one.
➡️ In addition, wire snares used for hunting both carnivorous and herbivorous wild animals were confiscated.
Forest officials suspect that the poachers might also be involved in the illegal trade of wild animal meat and body parts.
Further Investigation and Interrogation of the Accused
All nine accused will be presented before the court on Thursday, where the Forest Department will seek their custody for further interrogation.
➡️ The Forest Department suspects that the accused may have links with the notorious Baheliya gang, which is infamous across the country for poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
➡️ If further investigation confirms their connection to a larger network, they will be handed over to a special investigation team for a deeper probe.
Senior Forest Department officials have stated that efforts will be made to trace other members of the gang and its entire network to strengthen wildlife protection measures.
Strict Warning from the Forest Department
➡️ Cases of wildlife poaching in the Tadoba buffer zone have been increasing.
➡️ The Forest Department has issued a strict warning against poaching gangs, stating that tough action will be taken against them.
➡️ Surveillance of suspicious activities will now be intensified.
To curb wildlife poaching, forest officials and local environmental organizations are working together. This operation is seen as a significant step towards wildlife conservation.
