North-East poachers sneak into Similipal biosphere

Group of four inter-state poachers from North-East region reportedly sneaked into Similipal a few days back for poaching tuskers.

Already shocked over frequent elephant killings in Similipal and Kuldihareserve forests, the forest authorities here are in for some more trouble. Ifsources are to be believed, a group of interstate poachers’ gang from NorthEast region has arrived in Similipal for poaching of wild tuskers.   

Reliable sources said a group of four poachers had sneaked into thebiosphere a few of days back and were active chalking out strategies to killthe pachyderms through their traditional method of poaching. Locals havespotted them and they are suspected to be from either Manipur or ArunachalPradesh.      

Forest officials are worried over the information as these poachers, belongto Lisu tribe of NE are known for using very deadly poison prepared out ofroots and herbs of jungle plants, to kill the elephants. They use the poison inthe arrow, which is fired through guns and the elephants fall flat without evenscreaming once the poison-tipped arrow hits them. The poachers then cut thetusks and fled the scene.      

Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Anup Kumar Nayak admitted tohaving received information on the presence of the poachers from the NorthEast. “Following the information we have sounded an alert in Similipal andKuldiha reserve forests. Teams also have been engaged to track their movementsand activities,” he said.      

Meanwhile, the forest authorities have announced cash awards of Rs 20,000 toanyone providing information on the poaching gang. Patrolling too has beenintensified and information network strengthened in all divisions includingBalasore, Karanjia, Rairangpur, Baripada and core areas of Similipal TigerReserve (STR).       

Earlier, two lisu tribals from Manipur were arrested along with two localtribals and a police constable in connection with mass killing of elephants inSimilipal. They were nabbed from the house of the constable on December 24,1994. One gun, live bullets, arrows, 100 gms of poison and 14.6 kgs of ivorieswere also seized from their possessions. While three lisu tribals had managedto flee that time, prior to it a similar gang was busted in Bhawanipatna forallegedly killing tuskers.  

Honourary wildlife warden Vanoo Mitra Acharya said Similipal, Kuldiha andSatkosia wildlife sanctuaries were their prime focus area. "After the 1994breakthrough we used to get information about the gang once they arrived here.But this time we got the message a bit late. Still we are working on this andhope to get a lead soon," he said.      

Acharya said the poachers behave innocently and try to have links withinfluential persons in the area they operate. They motivate the local tribalsand form teams before initiating their operations.  

Balasore DFO Kedar Swain said internal intelligence network has beenfortified and forest personnel engaged at the vulnarable points to keep a tabon the suspected NE poachers. Sources said at least 45 elephants were killed inthe region in the last three years putting the forest officials in a fix.