Special cell to check lion poaching

16-6-07

Special cell to check lion poaching

Times of India – By Nayan Dave. Print Edition

 

Rajkot: Finally, the Gujarat police has come to the rescue of endangered Asiatic Lions in Gir. The government has decided to set up a state-level wildlife crime cell headed by an officer of inspector general of police (CID Crime) rank to check poaching and other wildlife related crimes.

 

Poachers killed eight lions in March this year and many others died after falling into uncovered wells.

 

Sources in state CID crime branch said that main function of the cell would be to detect wildlife related crimes and follow up the cases in court. “The cell will gather information about gangs and impart training to police on tracking wildlife crime,” said sources.

 

The cell will have monitoring committees headed by range deputy inspector generals of police and district level execution committee headed by district superintendents of police.

 

It will also identify hyper-sensitive and sensitive areas with the help of Wildlife Protection Society of India.

 

District level execution committee will patrol jungles and keep an eye on bordering villages. Funds would also be generated for sting operations to unearth poaching rackets, they added. The range level monitoring committee will do overall supervision and convene meetings of NGOs working for wildlife conservation.

 

Junagadh range IG Mohan Jha said that the cell would definitely help intensify vigil on illegal activities.