Spot elephant poachers, win cash prize

Forest department plans slew of measures in three districts to check ivory smuggling
KUMUD JENAMANI, The Telegraph
May 4, 2009
Jamshedpur, May 3: The job of tracking tusker poachers could not have been more rewarding. Literally.

The state forest department is planning to bestow cash prizes on those who will be able to provide specific information about elephant hunters and ivory smuggling in the forests of East and West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan. The reward forms a part of the slew of measures that the department has decided to take to check poaching in the command area of Project Elephant.

As per the proposal, a contingency fund of Rs 1 lakh will be set up to give the rewards. But details are yet to be chalked out. The other suggestions include employing trackers for every lone tusker that is susceptible to poaching and setting up of check-dams in core and buffer areas of the forest to monitor the movement of the animals.

S.R. Natesh, the divisional forest officer of Saranda, is said to have recommended these proposals. A final nod from the state is awaited.

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