Jamshedpur: ‘Sendra’ today, forest department on toes

Jamshedpur: Amidst ongoing lockdown and spread of coronavirus, tribals have decided to celebrate Bishu Shikar as a symbolic affair on May 24. The state forest department is on toes when it comes to protecting innocent animals inside Dalma wildlife sanctuary. The Bishu Shikar or Sendra, the annual hunting festival of tribals, is scheduled on May 24.

The forest department will be maintaining strict vigil across the 192 sq km sanctuary, 30 km from Jamshedpur, from Sunday till Monday evening.

Foresters from forest divisions of Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Porahat, Kolhan and Saranda will be on duty at the sprawling sanctuary on the earmarked dates.

A tribal said there is no need for hunting. Instead, the need of the hour is to wipe out the deadly coronavirus. The samiti would also appeal to all the tribal organisations in the next couple of days to not kill animals during Sendra but observe token rituals.

Divisional forest officers, range officers, foresters, forest guards and other personnel will be maintaining strict vigil at the elephant abode. Trackers (local village youths recruited as daily wagers to keep watch on animals) will compliment the forest brigade.  Adequate number of vehicles will also be mobilised for swift patrol.

It may be mentioned that every year, the forest department tries to educate villagers about the importance of wildlife and animals but still dozens of animals including deer, boar and wild buffaloes are killed during. Clad with hunting weapons like bows and arrows, they go into the jungle in search of animals by beating drums and chanting of holy hymns.

 Meanwhile, the forest department is geared up to stop the tribals from hunting wild animals. Eleven strategic locations have been identified where members of Eco Club and villagers would be deployed to convince the tribals not to go hunting.