Baripada: Wild animals in Similipal National Park (SNP) in Mayurbhanj district are shunning their usual natural habitats and refusing to return after straying into human settlements due to constant threat from poachers, a report said Wednesday. Trying to save themselves, the animals lose track of their habitat after leaving and go haywire. A Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) residing in the protective core area of the sanctuary and later straying into neighbouring Keonjhar district is a case in this point. The big cat after its arrival is learnt to be heading towards human habitats sparking panic and concern among the residents in Keonjhar district. Elephants and other wild animals are also leaving the wildlife sanctuary and choosing to stay in reserve forests.
Sound of the bullets fired by poachers has instilled so much fear among the wild animals that they are refusing to go back to Similipal. Wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers are apprehensive that if the problem persists for long then the day is not far when Similipal sanctuary will be bereft of wild animals. Forest department has failed to make any headway after registering cases against three forest officials and arresting them on charge of poaching of a tusker and later burning its carcass at Gurundia forest section under Jenabil forest range of Similipal forest division of SNP. Over 15 forest officials were stated to be involved in poaching and burning of the tusker carcass but the Forest department has arrested only three of them. Former honorary wildlife warden Bhanumitra Acharya alleged that the Forest department is trying to shield other accused forest officials and cover up their crime.
Similarly, the apathetic attitude of the Forest department has come to light in the recent poaching of a tusker whose tusks were severed at the Balikhai forest section under the Pithabata forest range in the sanctuary’s South forest division. Over 20 days have passed since the incident but the Forest department is yet to arrest the poachers. Chatters have been abuzz that if the forest officials are covering several kilometers on foot to guard the jungle then how the poachers could enter the jungle in their presence and poach wild animals.
Similarly, the seizure of three tiger hides from smugglers within a short span of two months is indicative that the SNP has become unsafe for wild animals. Now, a Royal Bengal Tiger straying towards villages in Keonjhar district from the core area of Similipal has sent the alarm bell ringing for the forest officials. Forest officials are concerned as to how a Royal Bengal Tiger could escape from the core area and stray into the neighbouring district. Pintu Maiti, district president of a local outfit Bhanja Sena alleged that the wild animals are running outside to save their lives as the poachers are entering the core area at regular intervals tracking the movement of Royal Bengal Tigers.
Moreover, there is a restriction on carrying pesticides inside the SNP but a contractual forest official Turam Purty allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide stored in the forest office. Purty, who was the sole witness, ended his life after being threatened and abused by three forest officials over the poaching of a tusker and subsequent burning of the carcass. Wildlife enthusiasts alleged that the probe has come to a standstill and now going haywire but none of the senior authorities are speaking on the issue.