Similipal: The Similipal National Park in Odisha is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and gaur. However, the park has also been plagued by poaching in recent years. To combat this, the police have launched a major crackdown on poachers.
The crackdown began in August 2023, following the killing of two forest guards by poachers. Since then, the police have arrested 32 poachers and seized 227 illegal firearms. The police have also dismantled an illegal gun manufacturing unit on the fringes of the forest.
Reliable police sources said that apart from this, the police have also seized 71 country-made guns. Reportedly on Tuesday, Mayurbhanj SP B Gangadhar said that raw material, pangolin skull and deer horns were also seized in the raid. In the first phase, 14 poachers were arrested and 165 guns were seized in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. A detailed report is awaited in this matter.
The crackdown has been welcomed by conservationists, who say that it is a much-needed step to protect Similipal’s wildlife. However, they also caution that the crackdown must be sustained in order to have a lasting impact.
In addition to the crackdown on poachers, the police are also taking other steps to protect Similipal. For example, they have increased patrolling in the park and have set up new checkpoints. The police are also working with the forest department to educate local communities about the importance of wildlife conservation.
The poaching crackdown in Similipal is a positive development, but it is important to remember that poaching is a complex problem with no easy solutions. To be truly effective, the crackdown must be sustained and must be accompanied by other measures, such as education and community outreach.