Trafficking suspected in Melghat animal deaths

Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt is conducting a detailed investigation into deaths of several wild animals due to poisoning inside the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Amravati district.

Forest minister Ganesh Naik said that authorities were also examining the possible role of organised wildlife trafficking networks behind such crimes.Replying to a discussion in the Legislative Council on a calling attention motion raised by MLC Milind Narvekar on Tuesday, Naik said the forest department was intensifying surveillance and preventive measures to curb wildlife crime and reduce human-animal conflict across the state.Several animals, including a pangolin, barking deer and monkeys, were found dead in the Chaurakund forest range under the Sipna Wildlife Division of the Melghat Tiger Reserve on May 22 and 23. Preliminary investigations indicated poisoning as the cause of death.Naik told the House that decomposition of some carcasses complicated the investigation, but forest officials visited the site immediately and initiated a detailed probe.

One suspect has already been arrested and has allegedly confessed to administering poison, while also naming four others believed to be involved in the crime.“The forensic reports have confirmed poisoning, while the detailed report is still awaited. Strict action will be taken once the final report is received,” Naik said.The minister said the govt was increasing vigilance in ecologically sensitive zones where human entry is prohibited.

Surveillance through satellite monitoring, intensified forest patrols and intelligence gathering through coordination with local communities were being strengthened to detect illegal human movement inside forest areas, Naik informed the Council.Naik also said international wildlife trafficking syndicates continued to pose a major threat to species such as tigers and leopards.The govt is also focusing on reducing human-wildlife conflict through sanctuaries, safari projects and improved natural prey availability for wild animals. The minister said the state was considering expansion of sanctuaries, leopard safari projects and tiger conservation initiatives in Vidarbha, while also working to increase the availability of natural prey inside forests so that wild animals do not stray into villages and agricultural fields.The govt, he added, was attempting to make the forest department’s functioning more people-centric while strengthening conservation measures across Maharashtra.