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Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on August 29, 2024
As wolves strike fear in Bahraich villages, govt says ‘Operation Bhediya’ on track
Forest minister visits affected areas, tells residents efforts on to catch the animals
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is monitoring ‘Operation Bhediya’, officials said.
AFTER THE death of at least seven persons — all of them children — and injuries to many others in a spate of wolf attacks in several villages of Bahraich, a number of security measures have been implemented under ‘Operation Bhediya’ to capture the wolves, officials said on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Minister of State (Independent charge) Forest and Environment Minister Arun Kumar Saxena visited Bahraich and held discussions with local public representatives and officials. He also interacted with some of the affected families and local residents.(Principal Chief Forest Conservator and Head of Department Sudhir Kumar Sharma and well as Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) Sanjay Srivastava have also reached the district.
According to a statement, during his visit to several affected villages, Saxena reassured residents that the forest department is making efforts to ensure their safety and capture the wolves. The department is utilising drone mapping for enhanced security and deploying thermal drones .
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is monitoring ‘Operation Bhediya’, officials said.
The Forest Minister also urged the community to avoid sleeping outside at night, keep children indoors and ensure doors are locked properly. He also asked people to go out in groups and carry sticks for protection until the wolves are captured, added the statement.
Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) Sanjay Srivastava said, “We have deployed 16 teams to capture the wolves and 12 district-level officials are also stationed here. Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator Renu Singh will remain on-site until the remaining wolves are captured. DFO Barabanki Akash Badhavan and DFO Naveen Prakash are also working diligently to ensure the success of ‘Operation Bhediya.’”
Permission to tranquilise the wolves has been granted by the Chief Wildlife Warden. To assist in this effort, two veterinary doctors are also actively working with the team in Bahraich, the statement added.
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During the meeting on Wednesday, the District Magistrate pointed out that doors are being installed in homes lacking them, funded through various sources such as corporate social responsibility and other financial contributions. Night patrolling is being conducted in villages and ASHA workers have been assigned to raise awareness.
Meanwhile, the district administration has released an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to the next kin of four persons who died in wolf attacks.
Divisional Forest Officer, Bahraich, Ajeet Singh said that wolves attacked and killed seven children in the past few weeks. These wolves are moving in and around 30 villages in Mahasi block, said Singh
He added that they have identified six wolves and of those, three have been caught.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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