BENGALURU: In the wake of the state government permitting hunting of wild boars, the state has lost two tigers, three leopards and two sloth bears.
With people indiscriminately laying traps for boars in fields and forest fringes, it has accidentally killed big animals since the implementation of the order.
In fact, foresters and guards patrolling protected areas express their anguish and inability to track the huge number of snares being installed by farmers to catch boars, mostly for the meat, and not because they have damaged their crops.
Calling for withdrawal of this notification, both forest officials and conservationists say the government should act fast.
Activists say earlier it was just four to five snares in aspecific area, but since the order has come into effect, at least 45 snares can be found in a given area. They say this has led to other wild animals too getting trapped in the snares.
Wildlife activist G Veeresh who has been tracking snare deaths in the last few months said, “Since the order, organised hunting and wildlife smuggling has been on the rise. There has been a 90 per cent rise in snares.
“With big cats getting caught in these, the killing order has set a dangerous precedent.
“If this government has any real concern for wildlife they should immediately withdraw the order instead of forming a panel to probe tiger deaths.”
Speaking to Express, a senior forest official said although it is not a blanket order and clearly says permission is necessary to hunt boars, till date permissions have not been taken.
He added, “Snare combing has been going on and it is not so easy as the path of carnivores follows the herbivores and we have to comb the entire district if we have to protect the big cats.”
It may be difficult to withdraw the order but it can be modified, says another official. “It should be made area specific as big cats are being snared. However, as per Wildlife Protection Act, there is strict punishment for offenders which is not less than three years. We have spoken to estate owners. But they claim snares were kept by labourers.
“There is a need to educate them on the consequences on wildlife. With tigers following the trail of herbivores and both on the same path, sometimes big cats get caught in the snares. This month, a tiger cub died after it got caught in a snare meant for rabbits at Ponnampet.
“At Srimangala, it is surprising how a big tiger got caught in a snare meant for wild boars. In view of the prevailing situation, the order has to be modified now.”