Sendra (Bishu Shikar), the annual hunting festival of tribals, was observed at Dalma wildlife sanctuary today under strict vigil on Monday. Senior forest department officials heaved a sigh of relief even though unconfirmed reports said a wild boar was killed at Chaliyama village inside the sprawling 192 sq km sanctuary. A group of tribals from Seraikela had entered the sanctuary last night.
Officials of the state forest department said that Sendra this year too was peaceful but there sources from various tribal outfits claimed to have got hold of a couple of giant squirrels and wild boar. The forest department had put up a tight vigil.
A total of 13 check points had been set up to prevent tribals from entering the elephant abode with traps and firearms. Every possible tribal group were frisked by the forest guards at the check points. Pardih (near Kali temple), Fadlugora, Chandil, Bhilaipahari, Chakulia, Makulakocha and Patamda are among the check points that had been set up. A medical camp has also been set up at Fadlugora. More than 200 volunteers and 40 forest department officials monitored the festival.
“This year few number of hunters who had gathered. Though meeting every group was not possible across this huge area, we met six of them, confiscated their traps and wires and counselled them to not kill animals," said Chandramouli Prasad Sinha, deputy conservator of forests. Sinha added that they counseled them too.
Police constables from East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan were also deployed for preventing tribals from entering the sanctuary. Moreover, divisional railway managers of Chakradharpur and Adra divisions had been asked to deploy magistrates to prevent tribals from boarding trains with weapons.
It may be mentioned that the forest department, a two weeks before the festival, had launched an awareness campaign among tribals, following which they had not only assured to protect the animals, but promised to convince others not to kill animals during the annual ritual.
Nevertheless, Dalma Buru Sendra Samity(DBSS) has said that inspite of the large police and forest officials presence the tribals have celebrated the festival in a traditional manner but in a limited way.