The drought is not only making the lives of the people miserable, but it’s also threatening the lives of wild animals. Environmentalists say that wild animals coming in search of water outside their core areas are falling prey to poachers.
Nature Research Centre (NRC) convener Harshavardhan Sheelavant told The Hindu that hunting of animals like spotted deer, wild boar, wild rabbits, jungle fowls, and peacock is on the rise since they frequently come close to human habitat. There is good demand for the meat of these animals, he added.
Usually, animals come to the fields at night as the farmers release water from the borewells or other sources to save their crops.
On the one hand, poachers capitalise on this and are out hunting the vulnerable animals, on the other, villagers seldom stop them because these animals also destroy their crops.
At Mandihal village, corpses of two spotted deer were found recently, with their skins removed.
Divisional Forest Officer Sabakat Hussain said there have been instances where wild animals fall prey to dogs whenever they come near the villages in search of water. He said instances of poaching had not come to his notice, but would not rule out the possibility.
The department has intensified patrolling and constructed water holes in the forest areas to provide animals drinking water within their habitat. Strict action will be taken if environmentalists inform authorities of specific instances of poaching, Mr. Hussain said.
