As the wealth-seekers still continue their tryst with tantric rituals to please the Goddess of wealth laxmi on the occasion of Diwali by sacrificing endangered wildlife species like owls, the forest department has put its enforcement network on high alert to prevent poaching of animals and birds during this festive season.
It is believed that in their craze to become richer, a few sacrifice owls in sync with the Tantric rituals during the 'Amawasya' night on the occasion of Diwali celebrations. Seizures of organs of owl or live owls by the forest officials concerned during this period confirm the trend. Interrogation of the wildlife traffickers and poachers revealed that the wealth seekers spend huge amount of money to purchase organs of the owl specie to perform the tantric sacrifice.
There is a wide variety of owls, including Indian scops owl, Indian Eagle Owl, Spotted Owl, Spotted Outlet, Mountain Scops Owl, to name a few. Bur life of the said species is on the edge due to continuing illegal poaching.
Since the tantric worship by the wealth-seekers is still in practice, protection of different variety of owl species along with other endangered animals like tiger becomes an imperative for the forest officials during the festive season.
The state forest department has sounded alert in all the sensitive forest junctions as well as the inter-state border points to prevent poaching of the endangered wildlife species, including tiger.
In view of the threat to wildlife during the festive season, the officials concerned have been directed to be alert to prevent any anti-wildlife activity, said Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Divisional
Forest Officer (DFO), the Tera- east forest division, while talking to The Pioneer.
Besides, we have also decided to launch a joint patrolling drive along with the officials concerned of the neighbouring Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in UP, he added.
Since the tourist season has begun in the mountain state along with the festive occasion special vigilance is being maintained in important wildlife parks, including the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Ramnagar and other areas which are sensitive from the wildlife point of view, as the officials concerned informed.
It may be recalled that CTR in Ramnagar was opened for the general public from October 15 this year.