Koraput: Even as tribals of the district are on a hunting spree to mark the Chaitra Parba, a month-long summer festival, the forest department took no measures to protect the wild animals.
Green activists are preparing to take to the street against the indifferent attitude of the department. A number of wild animals have been extinct from the forest due to mindless poaching by the tribals, they added.
It is customary for tribal male folks to venture into jungles with their traditional weapons to hunt animals. Their style of hunting is that they gherao a particular area inside the jungle and hunt animals living in that patch.
Even though they target wild boars, deer and rabbits, they do not spare other animals if they come to their sight. They make a procession with the hunted animals, offer them at the presiding deity of their respective villages.
Later, they organise a grand feast in the village with meat and liquor. This tradition continues everyday in all the villages of the region throughout the month of Chaitra.
Even though forest officials are well aware of the matter, they take no measures to stop this practice nor generate awareness to stop poaching, added locals.
It may be mentioned here that Koraput district is divided into Jeypore and Koraput forest divisions consisting of 1,200 sq ft 2,200 sq ft jungles respectively.
At least 12 species of wild animals including porcupines, rabbits, pangolins, wild boars, deer, Sambars, tigers, bears and elephants were sighted in the forest. However, due to rampant poaching and loss of green cover, a number of wild species have perished. While the forest department is concerned about results of the tiger census, it is least concerned about protection of other animals.
When contacted, Koraput divisional forest officer P Arthnary assured to sensitise forest guards to protect wild animals. He also promised to take action against the guilty if complaints are lodged and they are proved. PNN
