A controversy is brewing over the arrest of a person accused of selling tiger bones, with the Forest Department convinced of his involvement, while wildlife conservationists are perturbed that an informer has been taken into custody.
The accused Selva Kumar was arrested by the Biligiri Ranga Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve authorities near Punjur close to Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border on October 1 and has since been remanded in custody. A few others who were with him decamped from the scene, leaving behind the tiger bones.
Conservator of Forests Mr. Lingaraju told The Hindu that the accused was prima facie an accomplice and has links with those involved in the poaching of a tiger, though he was projected as an informer. “We suspect his involvement and also his links with the poachers and want to unravel the nexus,” said Mr. Lingaraju.
The authorities recovered six kg of tiger bones, including its skull. It is suspected that the tiger may have been poached in Tamil Nadu. Selvakumar comes from a village close to Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu and is a daily wager.
However, a wildlife activist described the arrest of Selvakumar as a breach of trust by the Forest Department. “It will be difficult to work with the Forest Department in our individual capacities, and also as an institution in the future,” he said.
Wildlife conservationists say an informer has been taken into custody
