Pramesh S Jain
Chamarajanagar:Miscreants suspected to be involved in poaching have allegedly targeted the Forest Department by setting fire to around 10 acres (2.5 hectares) of forest in the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary limits in Kollegal taluk, Chamarajanagar district.
The incident is suspected to be an act of retaliation following the recent encounter in which three suspected poachers were killed in a shootout near the Cauvery and Male Mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuary borders.
Angered by the encounter,the miscreants are suspected to have turned their attention towards forest personnel.
A few days ago,suspected poachers had allegedly targeted anti-poaching camps in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary using gelatin sticks,destroying four camps.
Now,in another attempt to create panic and intimidate forest personnel,the suspects allegedly set fire to the forest in the Shilubepura forest area.The fire spread across nearly 10 acres of forest.
Forest personnel rushed to the spot and managed to bring the fire under control after a strenuous operation.
The repeated attacks have left forest staff working under constant threat while carrying out their duties in the forest.
Following the latest incident,the Forest Department has intensified its investigation to identify those responsible for setting the fire and the earlier attacks on anti-poaching camps.
Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary ACF Vijay Hosur said teams were being deployed to trace the suspects involved in setting the forest ablaze and attacking the camps.
