Jamshedpur : The forest department has beefed up security of Dalma wildlife sanctuary following the arrest of three tribals trying to target animals.A forest department�s team on Monday arrested three tribals for setting up traps as part of the Sendra �tribal hunting festival-inside Dalma wildlife sanctuary.
Those nabbed have been identified as Karana Mardi, Diwan Tudu and Jitray Mardi. One person managed to escape from the spot. The team also recovered nets that were to be used to trap animals. The arrested have been sent to Ghagidih central jail.
Under different sections of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) the forest department has filed case against the accused. Punishment under these sections also carries imprisonment for two-and-ahalf years and fine of Rs 25,000.
Notably, spread over 192 square kilometres, the Dalma wildlife sanctuary has over 130 resident elephants and other wild animals and reptiles as well as birds of hundreds of species. There are over 700 deer, including barking deers in Dalma, large number of bear, monkeys, Indian giant squirrels, wild bore, porcupine and peacock beside the elephants.
�We were on regular patrolling when we saw three persons spreading nets to catch animals. We arrested them and also seized the nets. They had already spread the net to trap animals. One person managed to flee from the spot,� said a forester.
Forest team, including Dalma divisional forest officer and range officer Mangal Kashyap, patrolled the 192 sq sanctuary. Village youths were also roped in for the exercise.
Sendra was celebrated for the second time in a week at the sanctuary. The Dalma Buru Sendra Samity had celebrated the festival on May 12.
The forest department officials along with the handful of NGO personnel and Eco club members camped at all routes linking to Dalma hilltop and persuaded the potential hunters to desist from indulging in any kind of activities that might disturb the ecology of the green surrounding.
It may be mentioned that the forest department, a two weeks before the festival, had launched an awareness campaign among tribals, following which they had not only assured to protect the animals, but promised to convince others not to kill animals during the annual ritual.
