Prompted by finding a photograph in camera trap of a tigress moving along with a snare around her neck in Maikapar beat of Nagalwadi range of Pench Tiger Reserve on January 26, the management carried out an anti-snare and anti-electrocution operation the reserve on Saturday. This resulted in nabbing two persons in two different incidents.
The operation was carried out in 22 villages of Paoni united control range and six villages adjoining to Deolapar wildlife range. A total of 15 teams – 11 at Paoni UC range and four in Deolapar range – each consisting of one Forest Guard and five jawans of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) conducted the operation. Staff members of MSEDCL were present.
In two different incidents M N Bagmare and Ambali were found to use naked wire in their agricultural farms in Ambazari village. The forestmen seized 800 metre naked wires and three holders during the operation. After conducting ‘panchnaama’, cases have been transferred to MSEDCL for taking further action, said Dr Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Director, Pench Tiger Reserve, in a press note issued today.
M N Parab, Asstt Conservator of Forest, J R Tayde, Range Forest Officer, Ghadge, Junior Engineer, P Babde and A Bhagat took part in the operation.
Meanwhile, the staff from Deolapar range had seized wire in Survey No: 496 in Savara village belonging to Sheikh Farooq Pathan during an anti-electrocution operation on Janury 16. The case was transferred to MSEDCL for taking.
The Pench staff members are working with power employees and territorial members to check on electrocution activities with a view to killing wild animals in the area. As fire season is also heading way, awareness programme and rewards have also been planned by the Forest Department, Dr Shukla added.
