Forest dept on tiger poaching alert

“Tigers are more vulnerable due to the movement of nomads and organised wildlife crime groups from across the Nepal border.

Due to the recent disturbances in neighbouring Nepal,tiger density in that country has gone down drastically,making UP the next target of poachers,” said Deputy Director of WCCB Ramesh Pandey. In summers,he said,the big cat is more vulnerable to poaching. “The poachers are most active at this time. As most of the waterholes dry up and vegetation die during the hot weather,it becomes easier for them to locate tigers,” said Pandey.

The Divisional Forest Officer of South Kheri,RC Jha,said at this time of the year,tigers frequent water holes,so it is easier to trap them. “We have alerted our staff and increased patrolling at night,when the chances of poaching are high.

Vigil has been stepped up in sensitive points like Mailani,Bhira and Mohammadi range,” said Jha.

Officials of tiger zones like Lakhimpur Kheri,Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur sanctuary have been asked to maintain vigil as well. “We do not want to take any chances,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) BK Patnaik.

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was set up in 2007 on the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force,comprising officials from forests,police and revenue department.