TUMAKURU: The seizure of skin, horns, head and meat of a blackbuck from Kadamalakunte village in Pavagada taluk of Tumakuru on Sunday has put the spotlight on illegal wildlife hunting in the district. Forest officials say hunting for bushmeat has increased in the past few years.
There is special attention being given to blackbucks or Indian antelopes, which are endangered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. TOI had reported earlier on how habitat destruction was already causing migration of blackbucks from Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve to Andhra Pradesh.
Deputy conservator of forests S Ramesh said, "We are increasing the number of informers in villages near forest areas to gather information on habitual poachers, people possessing guns in the areas and those who place snares and other traps to kill the animals for meat."
Stating that they have also roped in cattle grazers to obtain information about illegal hunting, he said the department is exchanging information on habitual poachers and hunters with the forest department of Andhra Pradesh on a regular basis to protect wild animals. "... Also, we have been conducting a blackbuck census for the past two-and-a-half months. The report should be ready in a month," Ramesh said.
Sunday's seizure was from a raid forest officials conducted based on concrete information that a person had in his possession about 10kg of blackbuck meat which he was trying to sell. The man had fled from the hut even before the raiding team arrived, but it managed to seize evidence. Hunt is on for him and officials said they suspect involvement of at least three or four others in the crime.
According to environmentalists, rise in prices of sheep and goat meat has forced people to hunt wild animals. Villagers are seen laying traps for wild animals, especially blackbucks, at certain spots. Once caught, they not only consume or sell the meat locally, but also trade in urban areas where there's demand for it. "It is considered more nutritious," one of them said.
Environmentalist TVN Murthy said: "One kilogram of mutton costs Rs 500 to Rs 600. If they kill one blackbuck, they get 14-15 kg of meat, which they can both consume and sell secretly given the demand for bushmeat."
Murthy alleged people from bordering villages of Hindupur taluk in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh and Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve near Mydanahalli in Madhugiri taluk kill blackbucks, boars, rabbits, deers and peacocks for their meat.
