Nizamabad: Wild meat sales are on the rise in Nizamabad district for the last few months, with poachers hunting wild animals in Telangana and Maharashtra state borders. Deer, peacock, rabbit and other wild animals are being shifted to Nizamabad, Hyderabad and Nanded in Maharashtra for the sale of meat. The entire process is being conducted secretly to avoid legal problems.
The wild animal population is high between Nanded and undivided Adilabad district borders, especially Kubeer area. Targeting wild animals, poachers are actively moving in those areas. With the help of locals, poachers from Nizamabad and Hyderabad are trapping the wild animals. There is great demand for wild meat, poachers have been supplying it to confidential customers only.
Speaking to this correspondent, forest range officer Ravi Mohan Bhat said that they will initiate action against poachers under the Telangana Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
“Punishment will be decided based on the category of wild animal which is hunted by poachers,” he said.There were regular checks on transportation of wild animals, but with the help of locals, poachers simply shifted wild meat, he said.
Meanwhile, police seized three deer at Navipet on Basar-Nizamabad highway last week. During the vehicle checking, police found wild animals and immediately took into custody the poacher and wild animals. Later, they handed over the animals to forest department officials. Higher-ups ordered an inquiry over the deer incident to collect vital information on poachers.
Reportedly, a few poachers from Hyderabad possess unlicensed weapons to hunt wild animals. They have been maintaining regular contact with local people in Bhainsa area of Nirmal district for wild meat. Treating it as prestigious and healthy, a few people prefer to eat wild meat.
In view of serious action by forest officials, traditional poachers in villages give up their activities, but a few others are helping outsiders to do so.
