Rampant Poaching A Big Threat To Tiger Population In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Forest department estimated that 20 tigers were poached in the last one year on the basis of seizure of tiger skins. But, the number is feared to be even more considering the fact that the poachers in most cases have managed to smuggle skins to neighbouring states and abroad without the department’s knowledge.

According to Forest Department, 20 leopard skins have been seized from the following places:

• May 9, 2020: One leopard skin from Karanjia forest range in Mayurbhanj district
• June 7, 2020: Two leopard skins from Daspalla range in Nayagarh distric
• June 12, 2020: Two leopard skins from Ranpur range in Khurda district
• September 3, 2020: One leopard skin from Rairangpur range in Mayurbhanj district
• September 13, 2020: Three leopard skins from Nabarangpur district and one from Balipada of Berhampur Division in Ganjam district
• September 19, 2020: One leopard skin from Khariar Division in Nuapada district
• October 13, 2020: One leopard skin from Sonepur
• October 20, 2020: One leopard skin from Rairangpur Division in Mayurbhanj district
• October 21, 2020: One leopard skin from Sudrukumpa reserve forest in Gudari block in Kandhamal district
• November 18, 2020: One leopard skin from Bhubaneswar
• November 25, 2020: One leopard skin from Bhatli in Bargarh district
• December 6, 2020: Two leopard skins from Kapilash forest range in Dhenkanal district
• March 23, 2021: One leopard skin from Deogarh district
• April 2, 2021: One  leopard skin from Bolagarh in Khurda district

About 13 years back Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced to form a special tiger strike force unit to curb the poaching of wild cats. Planned in 2008, there has allegedly been no progress on this front.

To be raised by State Police, the battalion was to remain under control of Field Director, STR.

Once formed, the protection force can provide a permanent solution to the poaching of big cats.

Currently, Special Operation Group (SOG) and a strike force are combing through the forests to keep a check on poachers.