In a major action against wildlife crime, the Forest Department has arrested six poachers from the Udanti–Sitanadi Sanctuary area in Gariaband district, reinforcing the state’s intensified efforts to protect forests and wildlife. The action follows continuous directives issued by Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, who has been holding regular meetings with senior forest officials and has instructed them to ensure strict protection, conservation and promotion of forests and wildlife across the state. He has also warned that any negligence in this regard will invite strict action.

 

Under the leadership of the Forest Minister and the technical guidance of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), the Forest Department has been conducting sustained anti-snaring campaigns in various forest divisions of Chhattisgarh. These efforts, combined with rigorous patrolling, deployment of trained forest personnel, use of modern technology such as drones and trap cameras, involvement of local communities, and awareness campaigns, are yielding continuous results.

 

Forest officials have also stepped up vigilance to prevent illegal hunting carried out under the pretext of picnics or other activities. As part of this intensified surveillance, a major operation was carried out in the Od circle under the Kulhadighat range of Gariaband district. During the operation, forest personnel apprehended six poachers, including two from Sunabeda village in Odisha and four from Od village. Various hunting tools were recovered from their possession, including snares used for catching rabbits, bows and arrows, and fishing nets. Two separate cases have been registered against the accused under the Wildlife Protection Act, and legal proceedings have been initiated. All six accused were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gariaband, on January 7. Forest officials said the action is a significant step towards ensuring