Kochi: The Cochin Natural History Society has expressed convern over reports of wildlife hunting in Periyar Tiger Resrve and has asked the state government to take steps to protect wildlife in the region.
The latest instance of wildlife hunting was reported from the Azhutha range of the PTR in the last week of April. A wild gaur was hunted down by a group and the range officer acted quickly against the culprits. However, pressure is on the officials including the Chief Wildlife Warden to save the accused numbering ten. The range officer Priya Joseph has approached the Chief Minister and Forest Minister when she was brought under pressure and attempts were made to place her and the investigation in bad light.
The investigation led by Priya had uneartheed largescale poaching in Erumeli and Azhutha regions. In the wild gaur case she seized three guns and two vehicles and collected evidence like hair and blood stains from the vehicles. Of the 10 arrested, two are out on bail and the rest have been remanded by the court.
“It has been noted that in the PTR, antisocial elements are on a professional wildlife hunt with political support. There are networks to sale the meat thus procured also. Now the forces in these networks are turning against Forest Department officals,” said Vishnupriyan Kartha, secretary of Cochin Natural History Society.
He said that several forces are out to demoralise the upright officials in the Forest Department who act om poaching cases. “ Since they are under pressure, such officials are found struggling to act which does not augur well for wildlife protection,” he said.
“Hence we request the state government to take steps to ensure adequate support to the upright officials in the Forest Department to ensure wildilfe protection,” said Vishnupriyan Kartha.
