Bhitarkanika National Park on high alert to prevent poaching during Christmas-New Year

Kendrapada: Forest department has stepped up surveillance in Bhitarkanika National Park and its nearby areas in the wake of intelligence inputs that hunting of migratory birds, spotted deer and wild boars could escalate during the Christmas holiday and New Year.“We have initiated a high alert to prevent poaching and illegal sale of migratory birds, spotted deer and wild boars, especially around villages and wetland areas. Enhanced surveillance involves coordination between the forest department and local police. Forest personnel are on vigil. Night patrolling has been doubled. We are also monitoring the movement of the villagers within the park and its nearby areas,” said assistant conservator of forest Manas Kumar Das.A large numbers of migratory birds have recently descended on the water-bodies and mangrove trees of Bhitarkanika.Das said they have been organising awareness camps in villages to convince the local residents to protect the migratory birds, and warned hotels and dhabas not to purchase bird meat from anybody. Many people organise grand feasts during Christmas, for which meat is in high demand, added the forest officer.“The poachers trap the wild boars and spotted deer by spreading nylon ropes and live wires in the mangrove forest and its nearby areas. The animals often stray into nearby fields as they do not getting sufficient fodder and water inside the park areas, making them an easy target for the poachers,” said Hemant Rout, an environmentalist and secretary of Gahirmatha Marine Turtle and Mangrove Conservation Society of Rajnagar.Many farmers recently alleged that wild boars and spotted deer entered their paddy fields in the villages under Rajnagar, Aul and Rajkanika blocks in Kendrapada district to eat the ripe crops.Das said they advised farmers not to harm the animals as the forest department provides compensation for crop loss.Wild boars also attack the local residents, who sometimes retaliate, admitted a villager of Iswaripur within the park.“Around 10 wild boars entered our village on Monday and damaged paddy crops. The wild boar menace is on rise in the region,” said Sarat Behera of Gupti village.“However, the villagers rarely retaliate as they know it is an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to attack or kill protected animals,” said Bichitrananda Jena of Magarakandha.