Rajnagar Mangrove and Wildlife Division DFO Kedar Kumar Swain on Saturday directed all the range officials to remain alert to stop bird poaching which is going to be rampant around the Christmas and New Year time.
The poachers generally wait patiently for this time to earn a fast buck by selling the meat of the migratory birds, wild boars and spotted deer to the tourists after trapping them in and outside the Bhitarkanika National Park. Poachers trap birds by spreading nets on the paddy fields near Bhitarakanika when the birds descend to take ripen paddy on the fields.
A senior forest official of Bhitarkanika stated that poaching is going on unabated in the forests of Rangani, Pravati, Kantiakhai, Barahapita and Subarnapur. Mostly poachers from Khamarsahi, Budadiha, Pravati, Gupti and Jarimula of Rajnagar block and Charadia, Kainthakhola and Chandanipal area of Bhadrak district enter into these forests for poaching by remaining hand in glove with some unscrupulous forest officials . The poachers also kill wild boar, spotted deer and sambar with the help of hunting dogs. They transport the wild boar meat and venison in motorbike at the dead of night and sell it at Dhamara, Rajkanika, Jarimula and Paradip locality.
Swain said 10 river forest squads, 14 anti-poaching squads and 17 anti- depredation squads had been pressed into service to stand guard and check poaching. Kendrapada SP Satish Kumar Gajabhiye stated that a section of armed police are also going to be deployed to provide security and ensure hassle free journey for the tourists to the park.