Killing of wild animals going unabated

​Adilabad: Although the slaying of animals in deep woods by hunters, almost on a daily basis even during daytime, mostly for their flesh, in Jannaram (Mancherial), Kadem mandal (Nirmal) and Utnoor besides Ichoda (Adilabad) under the Kawwal forest division is continuing unabated, the Forest department officials are remaining as silent spectators even when tigers are targeted. This is causing anguish among animal-lovers.

Animals like deer, Neelgai, forest hares, sambars, tigers, leopards, wild sheep and foxes are found in large numbers in the forests of these districts that are spread over 1,218 sq km. The hunters use country-made weapons to kill the animals after setting up special teams for the purpose.

Some coming from far off places like Hyderabad indulge in slaying and selling mutton as a trade for thousands of Rupees in Indravelli, Jannaram and Ichoda weekly markets. There is also a heavy demand for the skin of these animals in Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts, to which it is being dispatched.

An animal-lover Santosh while speaking to The Hans India on Wednesday expressed concern over the indifferent attitude of the Forest department staff towards the killing of animals by hunters. A resident of Dasturabad village, Rajesh, pleaded to the department to take special steps to stop hunting of animals in the Kawwal forest..

A matter of worry is the fixing of power fencing traps by local smugglers, besides use of country-made weapons, who target the areas where the animals are regularly found moving. This results in instant death due to shock of many animals.

Such traps have been found in many areas of the forest frequented by animals mostly for drinking water. The smugglers cut the carcasses at the stops to sell meat. A tiger was electrocuted recently in Kotapalli mandal. There is heavy demand in the market for tiger skin and its nails fetch lakhs of rupees to either the hunters or smugglers.

Groups of hunters chasing tigers have been found moving in the Kagaznagar area. A resident, Rajasekhar, pointed out that the increasing number of cases being registered for killing of wildlife does not seem to be discouraging the killers. Such incidents had occurred in the area in the past too, he told The Hans India in a worried tone.

The case of missing ‘Jai’, a tiger of Maharashtra, is yet to be resolved, as it not been traced so far. The Forest department officials suspect that it might have been trapped by hunters. Leopards found in large numbers in these districts are said to be in demand in Maharashtra for their skin and nails. Recently, some suspects with tiger skin have been caught by the police in Mancherial

During the period 2007-2016 there was an indiscriminate killing of forest animals in these districts. In the Adilabad forest area, 15 case of killing of such animals, including a leopard, were registered. Although in the Kawwal forest area, as many as 93 cases, in Bellamapalli 26 cases, in Nirmal 36 cases, in Kagaznagar 54 cases and in Mancherial 72 cases have been registered, there are apprehensions that there could be hundreds of more such killings which go unregistered.

Adilabad District Forest Officer Rambabu told The Hans India that the department has been taking special measure to protect wildlife. He said compensation is being paid in cases of damage caused by animals in the forest areas. In this regard, awareness programmes are being conducted in villages, the department officials said.