KOZHIKODE: Against the backdrop of the recurring stone pelting incidents on animals including elephant herds in the forest stretches of the state, the forest department has decided to install infrared camera traps with night vision along the animal crossing stretches of National Highways that pass through prominent wildlife sanctuaries.
In a first step, on a trial basis infrared cameras would be installed in the jungle stretch of the Kozhikode–Bangalore national highway passing through Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWF).
It is to be recalled that four youngsters were arrested and remanded to judicial custody for fourteen days in connection with pelting stones at an elephant which was crossing the NH last week, in WWF. The visual shot by another passenger which was uploaded in FB had gone viral exposing the identity of the accused, leading to their arrest.
Wayanad wildlife Warden P Dhanesh Kumar told DC that the department has identified as many as ten spots along the NH where animals used to cross for fodder as well as to access water holes.
“For the time being we have sourced camera traps from other sanctuaries and the installation will be done within a week”, he said, adding that it would be easier for identifying culprits who engage in such illegal activities inside the forest.
The forest department has intensified patrolling along the highways and also would take strict action against those who stop vehicles alone the side of the road inside the sanctuary. The forest departments in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Orissa had already installed CCTV cameras in jungle stretches of National Highways.
