Ranchi: Emphasising that preventing wildlife crime is a top priority, principal chief conservator of forests (HoFF), Jharkhand, Sanjeev Kumar on Wednesday called for stronger coordination among enforcement agencies to curb illegal wildlife trafficking across the state.Kumar was chairing a meeting of the inter-agency coordination committee of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (Central Region) at the Vivekananda Auditorium in Forest Headquarters. He stressed the need for nominating nodal officers in each department, systematic review of major cases, strengthening online case management, financial investigations, prosecution support, and updating profiles of wildlife offenders.Highlighting trafficking routes, Kumar said, “Surveillance must be tightened across air, rail and road networks, as well as postal and courier services. There is a need for a robust mechanism for real-time information sharing among agencies.”Ruchika Rishi, IPS, additional director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (BHQ), New Delhi, made a detailed presentation on wildlife crime and conservation strategies. She urged coordinated action involving the forest department, ED, CBI, CISF, police and other agencies. Rishi also outlined key provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, BNSS and BSA, and advocated regular inter-departmental reviews.CCF (Wildlife) S R Natesha presented the state’s action plan, stressing public awareness to counter misleading social media influences.
