Forest officials criticised as poachers behind leopard trappings roam free

Pilibhit: Wildlife groups have criticised Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) and Uttar Pradesh forest and wildlife division for failing to arrest poachers after two schedule-I leopards were found trapped in metal snares on Sept 26 and Nov 1.The first leopard was found in a field in Nagaria Khurd near PTR's Barahi forest range and it died 19 hours after rescue. PTR filed a complaint against six suspects in the matter. Subsequently, a departmental inquiry was assigned to PTR sub-divisional forest officer Ramesh Chauhan. He said all the suspects were missing and efforts are on to nab them. The second feline was caught in a trap in Ladhpura village, 8km from the Mala forest range. The big cat was released into PTR after treatment. Activists claim that the forest and wildlife division did not file any case despite identifying two accused, including landowner of the field where the snare was found. Chauhan, however, said that village head Usha Devi has yet to confirm their involvement. TH Khan, secretary of Save Environment Society, said delays in arresting the suspects will encourage their illegal activities and pose a threat to wildlife. In another case, forest officials declined to register a case in the death of a sub-adult leopardess in Pipra Khas village on Nov 18 despite the autopsy report listing broken lower canines -- an injury consistent with a metallic jaw trap. "The authorities' reluctance to enforce the law could lead to disaster," said Kaushlendra Singh, former member of Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board.

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