Tribals continue to hunt animals

BALASORE:  Even as the forest officials in Mayurbhanj district managed to stop the age-old tradition of Akhand Sikhar on Maha Bisuba Sankranti, the tribals in Kuldiha forest range in Balasore district allegedly hunted wild animals.Sources said a group of nearly 100 villagers, who were returning after hunting, came face to face with forest personnel at Gadasimulia-Jodachua area. They outnumbered the forest personnel and escaped at gunpoint.Though Kuldiha ranger Shankarshan Mahalik claimed that the tribals could not kill animals due to intense patrolling inside the forest, a wild boar was found killed and its meat sold at a tribal hamlet near Jharanaghati. There were reports that over 200 tribals from Mankadpada, Kaladihi, Haradadihi, Jhiliribani, Kendua, Naranpur, Dalaki and Teraladihi areas entered the forest to  kill animals before they return.The forest officials said anti-poaching squads had been deployed to prevent the tribals from their traditional mass hunting. A member from the squad, however, alleged that the tribals often outnumber the security  personnel and as they cannot use arms and ammunition, the tribals manage to escape after terrorising them.On the other hand, the authorities of Similipal reserve forest have appreciated the efforts of the forest personnel deployed to check Akhand Sikar. Baripada DFO Bijay Kumar Panda said there was no report of hunting on Maha Bisuba Sankranti. “We will still continue patrolling for a couple of days though special drive will end on Sunday,” he said. Sources said at least 31 squads had been formed in Mayurbhanj district and 310 forest personnel engaged for the special anti-poaching drive in Baripada, Karanjia, Rairangpur and STR ranges. While each team  comprises 10 members, they have been provided one vehicle for  patrolling. Meanwhile, several social organisations have conducted awareness campaigns in the tribal villages to create awareness about the consequences of mass hunting and urged them to refrain from Akhand Sikar, which is nothing but a superstition.