Daltonganj: Nearly 200 feet of weather-beaten snares and five arrows were recovered from Damchua forests along the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border late on Saturday, with Palamu Tiger Reserve officials suspecting an attempt to trap wild animals for a Dussehra feast.The traps were found in PTR’s South division, where local residents had allegedly placed rusted snares and arrows in areas frequented by wild boars and hares, Mahuadnr forester in charge Gurudayal Singh said.Kumar Ashish, deputy director of PTR’s South division, said patrolling had been intensified during the festive season, when demand for wildlife meat often rises. Each of the division’s four ranges — Garu West, Garu East, Bareysanr and Mahuadanr — has a patrol team comprising three forest guards and 12 forest trackers.Ashish said poachers target animals near water bodies in summer, when wildlife gathers there for drinking water. In winter, snares and arrows are used more frequently and can be laid away from water sources. Firearms are generally avoided because gunshots alert patrol teams and scare away wildlife, he said.The division has 62 forest guards, but 31 were away in Ranchi and Chaibasa for training. Despite the reduced strength, hourly patrols were organised while ensuring adequate rest for personnel, Ashish said.Sources said patrol timings were being varied to maintain surprise and prevent offenders from identifying periods of reduced surveillance. PTR has registered a case against unidentified offenders under the Wildlife Act.
