Tiger hunters active in Maharashtra’s Nagalwadi Forest Development Corporation, 5 arrested

Nagpur: The apathetic attitude of the Forest Development Corporation Maharashtra (FDCM) towards wildlife conservation has emboldened tiger hunters. Which have also become active in the Nagalwadi area adjacent to Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Maharashtra.

Despite previous poaching cases due to electric shock, poachers from nearby Madhya Pradesh are frequently shifted to Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra compartments at Nagalwadi. And two of the five poachers arrested by Khapa range officials were involved in killing a tiger on March 23, 2021.

In the latest incident dated February 25, 2023, Pankaj Lamse, forest guard of Khapa range under Nagpur division, has laid through an 11 KV line in Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Reserve Forest Compartment No. 712 to target wild animals. And found the wires tied to wooden pegs.

During patrolling, one accused has also been arrested from the spot. He has been arrested and produced before JMFC Savner. The court has sent him to forest custody for about five days. During interrogation, the accused disclosed the names of four accomplices, who were arrested from Chakra in Chhindwada district with the help of Sonsar police.

Poaching of a sloth bear in the territorial forest area

The accused have been identified as Sampat Ramcharan Vishwakarma, Dinesh Doma Shilu, Parasram Mannu Shilu, Torni, Mangal Thepa Shilu, and Subelal Kisanlal Shilu, residents of Chakra in Chhindwada district.

Parasram and Mangal, among the five accused, were also involved in a tiger hunt in compartment number 707 of FDCM in Varapani beat. Crime had also been registered against these accused. Both these accused are habitual offenders and also co-accused in the poaching of a sloth bear in the territorial forest area.

The lack of proper follow-up in case of poaching of tigers by FDCM officials has also encouraged poachers a lot. Who has been visiting the area quite regularly to target wild animals.

Speaking to TOI, regional manager Hrishikesh Ranjan said, “We will ensure better safety by the employees. I will take feedback from the employees. If the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra is unable to monitor and manage its area, then it is better to shift these bins to Pench Tiger Reserve by expanding Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary,” said wildlife conservationists working in the area.

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