CHIKKAMAGALURU: Forest officials at the Bhadra Sanctuary here have sounded high alert on December 31 in the wake of the New Year revellers killing two Sambars in the sanctuary on the same day last year.
Among the measures in place on the eve of New Year are cancellation of leaves of forest officials and personnel and stepping up of vigil across the sanctuary.
The officials have been asked by sanctuary director Kantharaju to remain at the headquarters specifically on December 31 and January 1 when the sanctuary sees a surge of visitors. Nearly 200 forest personnel will be on duty for a few days from December 31.
On December 31, 2017, a group of poachers shot dead two sambars at Tanigebailu range. However, the forest officials caught them along with the sambar carcass hidden in their vehicle. Subsequently, they were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and put behind bars.
Mr Kantharaju said Lakkavali, Tanigebailu and Muthodi ranges of the sanctuary would witness a large number of visitors and forest personnel had been put on high alert.
The road from Kemmangundi to Bababudangiri would be closed from 6 pm on December 31 and January 1.
