Coimbatore: While the majority of the people stay indoors during the ongoing lockdown in order to prevent COVID-19 infections from spreading, a slew of poachers hunt in the forests more than ever raising the question, "who can save the wildlife from them?"
Coimbatore: While the majority of the people stay indoors during the ongoing lockdown in order to prevent COVID-19 infections from spreading, a slew of poachers hunt in the forests more than ever raising the question, "who can save the wildlife from them?"
With so many unbecoming incidents occurring during the curfew in which wildlife are harmed to no end, Forest Department officials have intensified patrolling.
Under the circumstances, the Forest Department received information that deer are hunted using illegal firearms and barbed wire nooses at the Balapatti Vedar Colony in Sirumugai Forest Range near Mettupalayam. On rushing to the spot, they discovered a gang of four coming out of Odanthurai Reserve rushing towards one Pradeep's farm.
The Forest officials then surrounded the quartet and conducted an inquest in which it was revealed that they had unlicensed country-made pistols and barbed wire nooses. They confessed to the intention of hunting deer in the area. Following this, they were fined Rs. 10,000 each.
Wildlife enthusiasts opine that the free use of illicit firearms raises the question that could these gun wielders have caused harm to the elephants that frequently die in the area. They requested the Forest Department to gear up the investigations.