Forest department steps up patrolling in tiger reserve

TNN | Jul 12, 2012, 12.22PM IST MYSORE: The recent arrest of a gang of poachers, who had laid jaw traps to catch tigers in BRT reserve forest, has come as a wake-up call for the department of forests to intensify patrolling in the tiger reserve areas in the state. Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Dipak Sarmah told TOI that they are conducting combing operations to spot any other traps, if any, in the forest to ensure safety to the animals, especially the big cats. He, however, claimed that they have removed all the jaw traps laid by the arrested poachers and they have not found any other so far. A six-member team of poachers from Haryana was arrested by the BRT forest officials before they could fell any tiger on Sunday. According to preliminary investigation, the gang had placed four jaw traps in the tiger reserve which have been recovered from the forest. Wildlife crime control bureau (WLCCB) officials do not rule out the possibility of more members of the gang involved in wildlife crimes in other parts of the state. WLCCB assistant director L Kuruvila said they do not have any definite clues on this score, but said the arrested belong to the Bavaria tribe who are good at laying jaw traps. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Forest-department-steps-up-patrolling-in-tiger-reserve/articleshow/14842555.cms