Ahmedabad, April 07: In a major breakthrough,
authorities at the Gir Forest on Saturday revealed that an
inter-state gang of poachers who is responsible for the
elimination of tigers in Sariska was behind the Asiatic Lion's
death in Gujarat.
"We have got a major breakthrough in the two poaching
incidents (where about six lions were killed in Gir in
March)," P N Roychaudary, Principal Secretary Environment and
Forests said.
"Police have found the right kind of evidence to
establish that it is the same gang of poachers who were
responsible for the deaths of tigers in Sariska and other
sanctuaries," Roychaudhary said.
"This gang hails from Panti district of Madhya Pradesh
and have a notorious record of poaching tigers," he remarked.
"The poachers (who killed the lions in Gir) are from
the same group. They are basically tribals called as 'Katnis'
and are renowned Shikaris (hunters)," Roychoudary said.
Roychaudhary said the poachers have turned their
attention to Gir because there was increased scrutiny over the
tiger parks in India.
"Moreover, under pressure from environmentalists the
Chinese government has also tightened regulations regarding
tiger bones and other body parts that are used in traditional
Chinese medicine," he said.
"This has forced them to look for an alternate means,"
Roychaudhary said adding that the properties of lion bones
were similar to those of tigers and could be an alternative in
Chinese medicines.
The official, however, did not reveal how the state cid
which is investigating the incident establish the crucial
links. The cid officials could not be contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, police have detained at least 15 persons,
including 12 women, for interrogation in Una Taluka of
Junagadh district near the Gir Sanctuary.
According to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who was here
at the inauguration of a temple, no arrests have been made in
the Gir poaching incidents.
Talking to mediapersons today, Modi said that a Rs. 40
crores action-plan for protection of lions in Gir is being
planned by the Gujarat government.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, April 07, 2007, 00:00