Raichur: Forest squad nabs youth who made reels after hunting hares

Raichur: A special squad that has been formed to crack down on wildlife poachers in scrub forests of neighbouring districts has managed to arrest a youth, said to be a part of a poaching network. The team has been relentlessly combing in areas to nab these poachers, for the past three days. Their effort has finally been paid off with the arrest of one.  

In fact, wildlife poaching seldom takes place in places in Raichur. But a team from Devadurg taluk was quietly active in poaching in neighbouring districts, including in Belagavi forest. There were reports of these team poaching hares in forest areas and this had posed a challenge for the forest department. 

‘Poaching is tradition’

Poaching hare or rabbits is a tradition in some places during Ugadi festival. But owing to stringent measures and intensive awareness on wildlife conservation, the forest department had managed to contain the tradition. Yet, some poachers remained active. 

“We have arrested Basaiah alias Muddappa Akalakumpi who had uploaded a video of himself after poaching rabits and monitor lizard on social media. Devadurga Range Forest Officer Aliuddin had formed team consisting DRFO and forest guards to nab Muddappa,” said Suresh Babu Raichur Deputy Conservator of Forests.  

The scrub forests of Raichur provides an ideal setting for leopard, blackbuck, monitor lizard, wild boar and rabbits. The stringent measures initiated by the forest department has helped these animals to thrive here, besides preventing poaching here, he added. 

In the last one year, four poaching cases have been registered in Raichur district.

The mindset of killing animals for pleasure must end and the department continues to educate people in this regard, he added. 

He further said that efforts are being made to enhance the green cover in hilly areas of the region through afforestation. He sought co-operation from people to conserve both forest and the wildlife.