TMB Report
Imphal: Vestiges of mass hunting of wild animals, smoking of hunted animals and construction of tree platforms for hunting animals have been detected in Nongmaiching Reserved Forest under Central Forest Division when a combined team of Forest field staffs of Irilbung Beat Office and other Beat offices and members of the Joint Forest Management Committee conducted a mass search operation in the reserved forest on Saturday.
In the aftermath of frequent forest fire in recent days thereby affecting the ecological balance, a combined team of the Forest Department and members of the JFMC Keirao Bitra, JFMC Naharup and JFMC Wakha led by Range Officer Nongmaiching Range conducted a mass search operation in the areas of Laphupokpi, Khalong in Nongmaiching hill range (Baruni Hill) to nab the culprits involved in the frequent forest fire and hunting of wild animals. The drive began from 7 am on Saturday.
During the search operation, remnants of mass hunting of wild animals and birds, smoking of hunted wild animals and around 10 tree platforms/stands constructed on tree top for watching movement of wild animals by the hunters were detected. The tree platforms constructed on tree top were destroyed by the combined team.
At Laphupokpi area, the team found the traces of hunting wild porcupines as quills of Porcupine were lying there. Feathers of hunted wild birds were also found there.
Meanwhile, Conservator of Forest Department RK Amarjit while talking to this daily over the phone said that hunting of wild animals by
different individuals in forest areas is one of the main reasons for frequent forest fire in the State.
He said that today’s search operation in Nongmaiching Reserved Forest could be conducted successfully with the support from the local people and members of the JFMCs.
Due to lofty hill terrain, the team could not reach the targeted area but such mass search operations will continue in different forest areas in the State.
The joint team of Forest field staff and JFMCs ventured into a lofty place of Nongmaiching Forest, which is less frequented, and found
remnants of hunted wild animals and birds, tree platforms constructed on tree top and traps. Various wild animals such as deer, hogs, wild
boars and porcupines are surviving in the Nongmaiching Forest.
The team also found makeshift oven for smoking hunted animals by the hunters inside the reserved forest and later destroyed it. Such
makeshift oven used by the hunters account for frequent wild fire in forest areas.
The Forest Department will thoroughly investigate the case and initiate fitting action against the offenders involved in forest fire and hunting of animals in the forest, he maintained.
The joint team of the Forest Department and JFMC conducted today’s mass search operation based on reports about illegal wild fire and mass hunting of wild animals in Nongmaiching hill range. The search operation covered areas in and around Baruni Hill.
Mention may be made that Chief Minister N Biren, being furious over the frequent forest fire in the State, had announced a cash reward of Rs.5 lakh for providing information leading to forest fire.
