A network of informers is being planned by the West Bengal forest department to keep a tab on poachers, who recently killed a rhinoceros at the Jaldapara reserve in Jalpaiguri district.
“Like the police, we want to create a network of informers who will provide information about poachers, but funds are required,” state Chief Wildlife Warden S B Mondol told PTI here.
A proposal, he said, would be sent to the state government for funds for creating the network to keep track of poachers trading in animal parts.
Asked about the quantum of funds, Mr. Mondal said it would take a year to ascertain the requirement. “We will come to know after a year.”
The network of informers would be in addition to the normal security drill in sanctuaries such as regular and night patrols by forest department personnel.
Mr. Mondol who investigated the killing of the rhino at Jaldapara last week, said that the pachyderm was probably shot by poachers from Nagaland.
Though some NGOs were worried over poaching in the state, the Chief Wildlife Warden said West Bengal had a good track record of conservation of animals and the poaching of the rhino was an isolated incident.
