Even as Maharashtra is applauded for the sharp increase in tiger population in the last 15 years -- from 150 to 444 in 2024 -- the State witnessed eight tiger deaths in January which is highest in the last five years. According to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) data, four tigers died in January 2024 due to various reasons whereas in January 2023, the number was five. In 2022, four tigers died in the month of January and in January 2021, the number was six. The number this year came as a jolt to the wildlife conservation community. Wildlife experts are blaming these fatalities on many factors, which are either ignored by the Forest Department or its failure to plug the loopholes.

 

The tiger deaths for various reasons this year and back to back arrests of poachers in the State raised discussion about the threat of poaching among the wildlife fraternity. Forest Department recently arrested the notorious tiger poacher Ajit Siyalal Pardhi from Rajura, along with his five associates. Similarly, on Tuesday, three poachers disguised as monks have been apprehended by the department for killing a leopard and trying to smuggle its skin. After these arrests, the conservationists were concerned that they could indicate the revival of tiger poaching gangs in the State. Out of these eight deaths this year, one is clearly a case of retaliatory killing. But there are two likely cases of poaching (January 6 and January 14). “Poaching is a never ending challenge for the Forest Department because these poachers who belong to a tribal group are well-trained and they are aware about the loopholes in the department. Today, Ajit is in custody and after two months, he may be released on bail. At that time, it is going to be a difficult task for the department to arrest him again,” Vishal Bansod, ex-Honorary Wildlife Warden, Amravati, told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

“There is an utmost need to establish a full time Special Task Force (STF) which can work on poaching cases 24x7 in the State. Such STF will work, monitor and chase notorious poachers all time,” said Bansod. Bansod also advised setting up of a Central Depository in the Forest Department to maintain a database about wildlife crime and details about offenders and criminals. “The Central Depository will help to get details about poachers like Ajit after their release on bail. Normally, the Forest Department faces a tough time to recapture such poachers and this database will help in identifying the poachers in any corner of the State,” said Bansod. According to another wildlife expert, the Forest Department is doing proper monitoring in core and buffer areas. The department has the data of tigers residing inside the tiger reserve. However, when the same tiger leaves the tiger reserve, it becomes an easy target for poachers because the forest department lost the data of that tiger.

 

There is a need to conduct regular monitoring of tigers residing in Protected Areas (PA) and patrolling to avoid poaching like crimes, said the wildlife expert. “The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court took suo motu cognisance in a recently held incident in which a tigress and her five cubs were cornered by tourists in Umred Paoni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary (UPKWS). The same swiftness is also needed in cases of tiger deaths in the State,” said the wildlife expert. 

 

Poacher Pardhi confesses to crime Notorious tiger poacher Ajit Siyalal Pardhi, who was apprehended by a forest team of Rajura forest division on last Saturday, accepted his crime during his forest custody remand (FCR) on Wednesday. Ajit was arrested from a makeshift settlement in Rajura city. During interrogation, he disclosed names of five more associates who were also arrested by the forest team. Immediately after their arrest, all the six accused were presented in a special court and it granted FCR till January 31 to all accused. On Wednesday, while interrogation, Ajit accepted his crime. Thereafter, the team took him to the spot where he hid the body parts of tigers and other wild animals. The team dug out the area and seized body parts of tigers that were poached by the gang. The team also seized weapons used by Ajit and his gang for poaching tigers from the spot. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Shweta Boddu, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Central Chanda. Pawankumar Jong, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Rajura is conducting the investigation. Suresh Yelkewad, RFO; Sangamwar; Prakash Matte; Meghraj Nimbuddhe; Chaple; Sunil Gajalwar; Pawan Mandulwar and other staff worked hard in the operation.