Wildlife Dept intensifies efforts to curb poaching
In Sirsa district, known for its significant population of blackbucks and chinkaras, the Wildlife Department has intensified its efforts to curb poaching activities. On Thursday, the department’s patrolling team apprehended seven poachers who were attempting to hunt in the Nathusari Chopta area of the district, which is located near the Rajasthan-Haryana border.
These poachers were part of two groups — one consisting of three individuals and the other consisting of four — who had set out to hunt in the area. However, the Wildlife Department team intercepted them before any animal could be harmed. Although no animals were found in their possession, each of the poachers was fined Rs 1,000, and authorities issued them a stern warning about legal action if they are caught hunting again.
The blackbucks and chinkaras are a rare and endangered species, migrating between Rajasthan and Haryana. Due to this, the area between Nathusari Chopta and Dabwali of Sirsa district, which lies along the 73-km-long border with Rajasthan, sees regular movement of these animals. In order to protect these species from poaching, the Wildlife Department, in collaboration with the local police, conducts joint patrolling three days a week. This not only helps monitor the wildlife but also helps officials engage with villagers living along the border to gather information about any potential poaching activities.
The officers noted that while a proper census of blackbucks and chinkaras hadn’t been conducted, the need for their protection was urgent. These animals travel between the regions of Rajasthan and Haryana, making it difficult to track their exact population. Despite a nationwide ban on wildlife hunting, poaching remains a persistent issue. People living in the region say poachers from Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh and SriGanganagar districts had been sneaking into Sirsa to hunt animals, including cows, bulls, nilgais and blackbucks.
In the past two months alone, multiple poaching attempts have been reported. Most of the arrested poachers in these cases have been from Rajasthan as there is significant local support for the protection of wildlife in Sirsa. Local residents and organisations such as The Akhil Bhartiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha have played a vital role in raising awareness and protecting wildlife.
One example of local activism is from December 2024, when a blackbuck was poached in Giddarkhera village. Following this incident, villagers held protests and demanded the swift arrest of the culprits. Various organisations also held mourning gatherings in the affected villages. These protests put pressure on the administration, which ultimately led to the arrest of the poachers.
Ramkesh, Wildlife Inspector, Sirsa, stated that on Thursday, seven poachers were caught while attempting to hunt. They were fined and warned of legal action. Ramkish mentioned that no animals were found with the poachers. He also said that in search of poachers, the police and Wildlife Department are conducting joint patrolling. Due to the increase in poaching cases, patrolling is carried out three days a week, at different times. The teams are also speaking to villagers living along the Rajasthan-Haryana border, from Nathusari Chopta to Dabwali, to gather information about poaching activities and prevent the hunting of animals like blackbucks and chinkaras.
