Jamshedpur: The East Singhbhum district administration and forest department have worked out a joint strategy to prevent the tribals from hunting animals in the Dimna forest during the Sendra festival on April
27.
And, on the other hand the Dalma Buru Sendra Samity, (DBSS) is adamant on practicing the ritual of hunting animals as mark of celebration on the traditional Sendra festival day.
Even though, the forest department has maintained that awareness campaign in the villages surrounding
the Dalma forest has worked positively and there is little threat to the animals on the Sendra day.
The forest department has planned to put up temporary checkpoints at nine places in the East Singhbhum and adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan district apparently to prevent ritual enthusiast hunters from venturing
into the 98 sq km Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary with lethal weapons.
The divisional forest officer of Dalma (wildlife) has written to the East Singhbhum district administration seeking cooperation for deploying adequate security by barricading nine entry points to the Dalma forest area.
“Since last few days we have been extensively carrying out awareness drive among the trib- als in particular, and villagers at large to minimise the threat to the wildlife and we are confident that
our efforts will bear positive result,” said, Dalma range forest officer Mangal Kachyap.
Of the 82 villages that fall within the Dalma forest jurisdiction a majority have acceded to the forest department official’s word besides, the eco club members who largely played the role on behalf of the forest department in convincing the villagers about the implications of killing animals too are confident of ‘no loss of life’ in the jungles of Dalma on the Sendra day.
“Basically, the youths in large number take part in the Sendra festival and this time we have achieved some degree of success in convincing them about the legal consequences they are likely to invite by disturbing the ecology,” noted, Kartik Mahato, member eco club, Sugendih village, Patamda block.
The nine locations identified for checkpoints are Devgarh, Dhalbhumgarh, Pipla, Patamda, Paridih Kali Mandir and two places each in Bhadudih and Bahragora.
Besides, deployment of magistrates has also been sought to ensure effective implementation of the preventive measures.
“We are also conducting awareness campaign in villages surrounding Dalma sanctuary to enlighten the tribals on ways to observe the festival peacefully,” said a forest ranger of the district.