Crude bomb explosions linked to wild boar hunting

Visakhapatnam: Investigations into the recent incidents of crude bomb explosions in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam have revealed that hunting of wild boar is on the rise.
Hunters make these crude bombs to trap wild boars and other wild animals by placing them at strategic locations in the forest areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and along the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) area.
Sources said that it is believed that the meat of wild animals and birds have medicinal values and hence is sold at a high price.
Throwing more light upon it, DSP of Srikakulam, Srinivas Chakravarthi, said, “Our investigation into the case of country-made bomb explosions inside a house in Srikakulam, in which nine persons were injured, has revealed that Y Ramana and his team were preparing bombs to hunt wild boars. But what they seem to ignore is that as much as the crude bombs pose a threat to the wild animals, they also endanger human lives. We are planning to take steps to check hunting activities and manufacture of crude bombs.”
Usually, a few tribes in the north Andhra region hunt wild boars and other animals during their festivals in summer. However, nowadays commercial hunting for the wild animals has increased in the region.
The hunting and sale of monitor lizards is common in parts of Vizianagaram district and it is sold at Rs 1,000 per kg, said Madhav P, a resident in city. Hunters bring these lizards, popularly known as ‘Udumu’, to sell them in a few areas, he added.
Meanwhile, regarding the explosion of crude bomb in a house in the city that left a couple injured, DFO, Visakhapatnam, C Selvam said that an inquiry is on and added that more than 30 members are on duty to check poaching activity in Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. So far no poaching incidents have been reported in the sanctuary, he added.