Nestled in Kangra district, the Palampur Forest Division is a dramatic landscape where the Dhauladhar mountain range cuts through the sky. Its rugged slopes are home to endangered and rare species like the Himalayan Tahr, the Himalayan Goral, and pheasants like the Koklass. These animals are vital prey for apex predators such as the Snow Leopard, but they face mounting threats from poaching, especially during winters when snow drives them closer to human settlements.
In December 2024, credible intelligence reached the Palampur division: hunters were exploiting the remote Jia area, a village tucked in the foothills near Chamunda Shaktipeeth. The secluded road linking Jia to the Shiva Power Project had long been misused for illegal wildlife activities. This time, the network had grown bolder.
The Officer Behind the BREAKTHROUGH
At the center of this story is Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, IFS (2018 batch, HP cadre), Deputy Conservator of Forests, Palampur. Acting on his own confidential input about hunters’ movements, he sparked one of the most intense anti-poaching operations in Himachal Pradesh’s recent history.
“We had reason to believe something big was being planned. The location, the timing, and the secrecy around the movement…all pointed to a large-scale hunt,” the officer shared in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.
He immediately set the machinery in motion, ensuring close surveillance, field monitoring, and rapid intelligence checks across beats.
THE TEAM THAT TOOK RISKS ON THE GROUND
The responsibility of the operation rested on a young but fearless team. Ms. Uma Bharti, Forest Guard (2021 batch), Baner Beat, played a crucial role. Using her local intelligence network, she tracked the suspects’ movements for hours, confirming Dr. Sharma’s alerts.
Leadership in the field was provided by Block Officer Rakesh Kumar (Gopalpur), who mobilized ground units and coordinated surveillance. Forest Guards, Rahul (Lahl Beat), Raj Ashish (Kushmal Beat), Rishu Kondal (Panaper Beat), Ankush Kumar (Ghaneta Beat), and Sanjay Kumar (Parour Beat), all formed the strike team.
They camped at Gopalpur and kept constant watch along the Project Road, waiting for the moment when hunters would reveal themselves.
THE NIGHT OF 11 MARCH 2025
Late at night, the silence of Diyala village was broken by the quiet hum of a Bolero Camper driving downhill with its headlights off. The forest team moved in.
Inside the vehicle were five men. A search revealed a gruesome sight: severed heads and limbs of Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Goral, and a Koklass Pheasant. Alongside the remains, the team seized 142.75 kg of wild meat, two rifles, sixteen live rounds, and six knives.
Despite being outnumbered and facing armed suspects, the forest staff apprehended the culprits without a single shot fired.
LEGAL CRACKDOWN
The accused were booked under multiple sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended in 2022), including Sections 9, 39(1)(b), 39(1)(d), 39(2a), 39(3a), 44, 50, 51, and 52. The case was formally registered as Damage Report No. 087 (Book No. 830, Date: 11.03.2025).
Assistant Conservator of Forests, Om Prakash Chandel, played a decisive role in investigation and in securing forest custody of the accused, ensuring the offenders faced strict legal consequences.
“PROTECTING WILDLIFE IS PROTECTING OUR FUTURE”
For Dr. Sharma, this was more than just a successful raid; it was about protecting Himachal’s fragile ecological balance.
“These animals are not just wildlife, they are part of a chain that keeps our mountains alive,” he says. “Every poached Tahr or Goral weakens the ecosystem and pushes the Snow Leopard closer to extinction.”
He credits his team for the breakthrough. “It was their courage that made this possible. From Uma Bharti’s sharp field intelligence to Rakesh Kumar’s coordination and the guards’ presence of mind, the credit belongs to them.”
A LANDMARK OPERATION IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
The Jia raid is being seen as one of the largest wildlife hunting seizures in Himachal Pradesh’s history. It underscores the value of confidential intelligence networks, quick field response, and coordinated teamwork between officers and guards.
For the Palampur Forest Division, the operation is a reminder that vigilance must be constant, and for Dr. Sharma, it is proof that proactive leadership can help secure habitats under relentless pressure.
As the Dhauladhar peaks watch over Palampur, the message is clear: the mountains still have guardians.
