Mysuru: Amid growing concerns over wildlife crimes, the demand for establishing a dedicated Forest Mobile Squad (FMS) in the forest-rich Chamarajanagar district has regained momentum.Despite nearly 50% of the district being under forest cover and sharing interstate borders with Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Chamarajanagar does not have a FMS. Conservationists say such a unit is essential for conducting round-the-clock patrols in sensitive forest areas and border regions.A dedicated FMS could help prevent illegal timber transportation, curb wildlife poaching, apprehend smugglers, and strengthen surveillance in vulnerable stretches. At present, the squad operates from Mysuru district, activists pointed out.A FMS, headed by a deputy conservator of forests (DCF)-rank officer, focuses on detecting and preventing timber smuggling and poaching. Squad personnel undertake both daytime and nighttime patrols.According to wildlife activists, the Chamarajanagar Wildlife Circle, which comprises the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, BRT Tiger Reserve, and part of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve landscape, recorded 3,289 cases under the Wildlife Protection Act, including 66 forest shootout cases and 370 poaching cases. Of these, 266 poaching cases were reported from the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary alone. While Bandipur Tiger Reserve is equipped with advanced surveillance systems, including high-resolution night-vision cameras along highways, forest officials continue to face challenges in tackling smuggling and poaching activities in the MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, and BRT Tiger Reserve.Officials say anti-poaching operations are more difficult in MM Hills, Cauvery, and BRT than in Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves. The areas share interstate borders with Tamil Nadu and witness heavy movement of tourists and devotees travelling to religious destinations through forest stretches. MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary spans 934 sq km, while the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary covers 1,024 sq km, making surveillance particularly challenging.Wildlife activists noted that poaching incidents tend to increase along interstate borders when water levels in the Cauvery river decline. The absence of adequate night-vision surveillance cameras, coupled with rugged terrain and highways passing through hilly forests, provides poachers opportunities to escape after committing offences.Former State Wildlife Board member Malleshappasaid a forest Mobile Squad that operated in Chamarajanagar a decade ago was shifted to Chikkamagaluru in 2017. Although a squad from the Mysuru Circle currently covers the district, it is difficult for personnel to respond swiftly to incidents along the far-flung borders of Chamarajanagar, located around 150 km from Mysuru, he said. Unlike carrying out poaching operations in Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves, forest department is finding it tough to deal with anti-poaching operations in MM Hills and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries and BRT Tiger Reserve, which shares an interstate border with Tamil Nadu, with an increased number of tourists and devotees to religious places passing through these jungles. Unlike Bandipur, MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 934 square km and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary over 1,024 square km of forests.With the lack of night-vision surveillance cameras, poaching activities increase across interstate borders when the water level in Cauvery river decreases. Tough terrain and highways passing through hilly areas have become a safe hideout for poachers to flee the spot after poaching.CCCF (Chamarajanagar circle) Malathi Priya said that she will discuss the need for establishment of a forest mobile squad in Chamarajanagar with a senior forest official and send a proposal to govt to set up the squad.
