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Bhubaneswar/Baripada: In an effort to curb increasing poaching at the Similipal National Park and Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district, the forest department on Monday launched a massive combing operation comprising about 4,000 officials, presumed to be the highest ever in such a drive.
For the first time, environmentalists in hundreds have also joined their hands to protect the wildlife from clutches of the poachers, official sources said.
According to wildlife activists, with the onset of festive season and especially Diwali when the poachers strike the wild animals for their flesh and make quick bucks selling it in the local markets, the officials have chosen the time to begin the hunt to keep poachers at bay.
“It is also observed that demand of these wild animals’ flesh rises during Winter boosting the poachers to go for hunting of animals in varieties” said ParthaSarathi Mallick, an environmentalist.
Also poaching animals for sacrifices on Diwali day, a decade-long tradition among some tribes cannot be ruled out, observed another wildlife activist on condition of anonymity.
However to make the operation successful, the department has divided the total area into three sections, Core Area, Buffer Zone and Territorial, said sources.
