Raipur/Korea: In a significant breakthrough against wildlife crime, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department has successfully uncovered and dismantled a concealed poaching setup inside a critical tiger movement corridor in the Korea Forest Division during an intensive Anti-Snare Walk operation.
The action forms part of the state’s ongoing crackdown on wildlife crimes and habitat threats under the Forest Department’s proactive anti-poaching campaign. During a targeted patrol conducted on June 17, a joint anti-poaching task force intercepted a makeshift hut hidden deep inside forested terrain and recovered materials believed to be intended for illegal hunting activities.
Illegal Structure Discovered Deep Inside Forest
According to forest officials, the patrol team discovered an illegally constructed hut strategically concealed within dense forest cover. Upon inspection, officials recovered a large quantity of heavy-gauge wire allegedly meant for manufacturing crude animal snares and traps commonly used by poachers.
Recognising the potential threat posed to wildlife, especially within a sensitive tiger movement corridor, the forest team immediately dismantled the structure and confiscated the recovered materials. The seizure was carried out under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and further investigations are underway to identify individuals linked to the illegal setup.
Anti-Snare Walk Campaign Yielding Results
Officials said the operation highlights the effectiveness of the Forest Department’s Anti-Snare Walk campaign, a state-wide initiative designed to identify, map and remove illegal traps and poaching infrastructure from wildlife habitats.
The campaign focuses particularly on:
- Tiger corridors
- Wildlife movement routes
- Protected forest areas
- High-risk poaching zones
- Biodiversity-rich landscapes
By conducting systematic foot patrols and intensive ground inspections, forest personnel have been able to detect hidden threats before they result in wildlife casualties.
Kedar Kashyap Reiterates Zero-Tolerance Policy
Following the successful operation, Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap reiterated the government’s firm commitment to wildlife conservation and strict action against wildlife crime. The minister directed all territorial and wildlife wings of the department to maintain heightened vigilance and continue aggressive enforcement against poaching activities.
He emphasised that the state government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards wildlife crime and warned that any negligence or procedural lapses by field officials would invite strict disciplinary action. According to officials, the minister has consistently pushed for stronger protection measures to secure wildlife habitats and eliminate threats posed by illegal hunting and habitat encroachment.
PCCF Arun Kumar Pandey Monitoring State-Wide Drive
The Anti-Snare Walk campaign is being implemented under the direct supervision of Arun Kumar Pandey, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Chhattisgarh.
Under his guidance, forest divisions across the state have intensified surveillance and patrolling efforts in ecologically sensitive areas.
Dedicated teams have been deployed to:
- Conduct regular forest patrols
- Remove snares and traps
- Monitor wildlife corridors
- Gather intelligence on poaching activities
- Strengthen enforcement networks
The objective is to create a robust deterrence mechanism against illegal wildlife trade and organised poaching operations.
Multiple Poaching Networks Disrupted
Forest Department officials noted that sustained anti-snaring operations have already produced encouraging results across the state. Apart from recovering traps and hunting equipment, enforcement teams have reportedly intercepted several poaching groups and facilitated multiple arrests linked to wildlife crimes.
Several accused have subsequently been remanded to judicial custody, reflecting the department’s intensified focus on legal enforcement. Officials believe that continued surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordinated field operations are helping reduce poaching threats in vulnerable wildlife habitats.
Protecting Critical Wildlife Corridors
The Korea Forest Division forms an important ecological landscape and serves as a movement corridor for several wildlife species, including large carnivores.
Experts emphasise that snares and wire traps pose one of the most serious threats to wildlife populations, often causing severe injuries or death to animals that inadvertently get trapped. The latest seizure is therefore being viewed as an important preventive intervention that may have averted future wildlife casualties in the region.
Strengthening Wildlife Conservation Efforts
The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening wildlife protection measures through continuous monitoring, community engagement and technology-driven enforcement strategies. Officials stated that the Anti-Snare Walk campaign will continue across forest divisions with a focus on eliminating illegal hunting infrastructure and ensuring safe habitats for wildlife.
The successful operation in Korea Forest Division serves as another example of the state’s growing emphasis on conservation, habitat security and strict enforcement against wildlife crime.
