Hyderabad: During field inspection of Forest cover change points communicated by NRSC, through PCCF, the District Forest Officer, Bhadradri has found lot of destruction in Compt No.30 of Mulkalapally Reserve Forest. The Forest Officer further noticed that there is lot of wildlife crime happening here and there, due to the ferocity of the Gothikoya village – Chintalapdu and head of the village Chalamanna, who is supporting all the illegal activities in the village. On the name of Chalamanna one separate village by name Chalamannanagr was formed just close to the existed illage of Chintalapadu. In view of that the DFO spoke to SP, Bharara and requested for Police force.
Accordingly, the search and raid were planned on February 25. Sivala Rambabu, District Forest Officer, Bhadradri led the team. Other participants are Sujatha, Forest Divisional officer, Paloncha, Forest Range Officers of Yanambile, Chatakonda, Paloncha, Aswaraopeta, Dammapeta, Kothagudem , Entire range staff of Kothagudem, Ramavaram, Chatakonda, Yanambile, Paloncha, Mulkalapally, Dammapeta, Aswaraopeta, Task force team and protection watchers, altogether around 100 forest staff and from Police , led by Circle Inspector of Police Ramesh, Paloncha, SI, Mulkalapally and constables and special party altogether around 30 members participated in the raid.
During the search, they seized lot of wild life related trophies and wildlife hunting snares, electrical wires, iron arrows etc., as follows: Spotted deer skins – (7 Nos.),
Chowsinga (Horns) – (3 Nos), Sambar – (3 Nos), Spotted Deer antlers – (28 Nos.), While Buffalo (Horns) – (2 Nos) Porcupine (Spines) – (2 Nos), Traps – (2 Nos), Snares – (32 Nos.), Bows – (65 Nos.), Arrows – (112 Nos), Spades – (20 Nos), Axes – (40 Nos.), Sickles – (60 Nos.)
The officials arrested 13 Gotthikoyas and cases were registered under Section 51 read with 2(16), 9, 39, 50 Wildlife protection Act,1972, and under section 58 read with section 2 of Bio-diversity Act, 2002. Total three PORs were registered under different sections.
Further, based on the trophies age from 2/3 days to more than one year and storage of huge quantity of wildlife hunting material, and wildlife trophies indicting the severity of the issue and threat to the wildlife and forests. These villages are in the encroached forest land and set up with illegal electrical connectivity which is posing great danger to the wildlife protection. The rehabilitation and resettlement of theses illegal settlements need of the hour for the protection of the forests and wildlife, the DFO said. (NSS)
