Bhubaneswar: To combat the menace of bait bombs that poachers use to brutally kill wild animals, including elephants, the most vulnerable forest circle, Angul, comprising elephant-rich divisions, launched a special drive called Jibedaya.Wildlife officials claimed that during the drive more than 50 bait bombs have been seized in the past week, thwarting attempts at poaching. The poachers use explosives and mix them with food, giving it the shape of a ball or chocolate. When the animals chew, it explodes in the mouth, causing a painful death.
“It is a joint operation of intra-division and inter-division personnel to crack down on poaching methods such as bait bombs and other illegal hunting practices in elephant-rich forest divisions. The operation is being carried out in close coordination among multiple forest divisions. The initiative focuses on identifying and nabbing habitual offenders through joint raids, targeted search operations, and frequent foot patrolling in sensitive forest pockets,” said Sanjay Swain, regional chief conservator of forests, Angul circle.Earlier, wildlife conservationists advocated regulating the sale of gunpowder to prevent its use in bomb-making. Once used for poaching wild boars, the bait bombs grievously injure elephants’ mouths when they eat the gunpowder-laced food.“We are conducting inspections and regular patrolling to find bait bombs that are planted on village outskirts and nearby forests. Regulating its sale is a bit difficult as farmers also make it from crackers, but some deterrent actions like surprise house searches of villagers in elephant-rich areas will be conducted,” Swain added.Forest officials said the stepped-up surveillance helped reduce poaching incidents as well aselectrocution. According to the latest figures shared by the department, enforcement teams seized 9 country-made guns, around 120 small ammunitions, and several boar snares. As many as 15 wildlife offence cases were registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and 14 offenders were arrested.Officials said strategies were chalked out in a recent high-level meeting convened with the IG (central range), SPs of Cuttack, Jajpur, Nayagarh, and Kendrapara districts to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinated action. The RCCF, Angul, pursued the matter with the IG, north-central range, with a focus on curbing illegal practices in Angul and Dhenkanal forest divisions.Forest officials said bait bomb manufacturers will be dealt with sternly.
