CHAMARAJANAGAR: Alarmed over the increasing number of poaching cases in the border district of Chamarajanagar, the forest department will approach religious leaders to change the mindset of people in Chamarajnagar to help in conservation of forests and wild animals.
The priests, in discourses and sermons are telling devotees not to kill animals, terming it a sin. The idea is that the God-fearing people will stop hunting wild animals or eat their meat if the priests ask them not to do so from religious platforms.
The Forest Department has also planned to launch street plays by the end of this month.
The script is being prepared by NGOs Planet Green, JRDS and others. The plays will convey the message of conservation of wildlife, the impact of killing wild animals, laws relating to wildlife conservation, punishment for violation.
The department will focus mainly on Hanur, Kaudalli, Selvipura, Satthegala, Jagery, MM Hills, which record high poaching cases. About 10 cases have been booked and 40 people arrested in last couple of days for killing bison, deer, sambhar and other animals. In one case, a 13-member gang involved in poaching was arrested by the anti-poaching camps after intensified the operations, said an officer on condition of anonymity.