Poachers having a field day in Mulug

Mulug (Warangal): The rich flora and fauna in the Assembly constituency is on the decline because of official apathy in effective enforcement of wildlife protection laws. Taking advantage of the scorching summer, poachers and smugglers seem to have stepped up their illegal activities.

• Heatwave adds to the woes of wildlife
• Minor forest fires too are reported
• Official apathy to the fore

This is evident with more and more wild animals falling prey to the traps arranged by poachers in the forest. The incidence of smuggling of teakwood is also on the rise in the recent times. There are several instances of minor forest fires in areas which are fully covered with dry leaves. This is largely attributed to increase in the movement of wild animals which became restive due to non-availability of drinking water.

In some cases, playful acts by youngsters, who throw the butts of cigarettes and beedis unmindful of its hazardous consequences, spark forest fires. Podu cultivation is also on the increase in the area, which reflects the failure of Forest officials in creating awareness among tribal people on the adverse impact of indiscriminate destruction of forest cover on the environment.

Wild animals are straying into human habitations on the fringe areas to quench their thirst as tanks and other water sources in deep forest have dried up due to prolonged dry spell. The alarming situation has highlighted the failure on the part of the Forest officials in ensuring adequate supply of drinking water to wild animals.

Worried over the alarming decline in the flora and fauna, nature lovers have demanded urgent measures to protect the wild animals from falling prey to the heat wave and poachers. Speaking to The Hans India, Wildlife Officer Purushottam said: “We are digging water pits in the deep forest to quench the thirst of wild animals in the hot summer.

Repairs of about 25 water pits in Tadwai forest area will be taken up soon. We are taking all measures to protect wild animals from poachers.” Commenting on increase in Podu cultivation, he said: “Gotti Koya tribesmen, who come to the State from neighbouring Chhattisgarh to pluck cotton and chillies in the fields, are resorting to Podu cultivation with the help of some middlemen and smugglers.

According to an estimate, about 3,000 Gotti Koyas are coming to the State from Chhattisgarh every season to work in cotton and chilli fields. Some of them are engaged in hunting animals. Political interference and protection being given by middlemen are proving to be major obstacles sometimes in preventing Gotti Koya tribesmen from indulging in Podu cultivation and poaching. Despite the constraints, we are determined to protect the rich flora and fauna of Mulug by effective enforcement of forest laws.”

By Ch Subhash