The Search cum Raid conducted in Chintalapdu and Chalamannagar villages of Mulakalapally Mandal of Bharara Kothagudem district, In the month of October(2018), the villagers of Chintalapadu and Chalamannagar has done fresh fellings and attempted for fresh Forest land encroachment in Compt No.30 of Dhammapada Reserve Forest, falling in Mulaklalapally Range of Paloncha division. The Villagers have detained the Forest Range Officer, Mulkalalaplaly Prasad and his staff and tried to attack on them. Later with the intervention of Police they were set free but never reported the matter to District Forest Officer, Bharara.
But on 25.2.2019, during field inspection of Forest cover change points communicated by NRSC, Hyderabad through PCCF (HOFF), and lot of destruction was there in Compt No.30 of Mulkalapally RF by District Forest Officer, Bhadradri, the issue was coming to the notice of District Forest Officer, Bhadradri. Further noticed that there is lot of wildlife crime is happening here and there, but due to the ferocity of the Gothikoya village – Chintalapdu and head of the village Chalamanna, who is supporting all the illegal activities in the village. On the name of Chalamanna one separate village by name Chalamannanagr was formed just close to the existed village of Chintalapadu. In view of that speak with SP, Bharara and requested for Police force. Accordingly, the search and raid were planned.
Participants: – Sivala Rambabu, IFS, District Forest Officer, Bhadradri led the team. Other participant is Sujatha, Forest Divisional officer, Paloncha, Forest Range Officers of Yanambile, Chatakonda, Paloncha, Aswaraopeta, Dammapeta, Kothagudem, the Entire range staff of Kothagudem, Ramavaram, Chatakonda, Yanambile, Paloncha, Mulkalapally, Dammapeta, Aswaraopeta, Task force team and protection watchers, altogether around 100 forest staff and from Police led by Circle Inspector of Police Ramesh, Paloncha, SI, Mulkalapally and constables and special party altogether around 30 members were participated in the raid.
The search was done from 9 Am to 11 AM and seized lot of wild life related trophies and wildlife hunting snares, electrical wires, iron arrows etc., as follows.
1. Spotted deer skin – (7 Nos.)
2. Chowsinga (Horns) – (3 Nos)
3. Sambar – (3 Nos)
4. Spotted Deer antlers – (28 Nos.)
5. While Buffalo (Horns) – (2 Nos)
6. Porcupine (Spines) – (2 Nos)
Tools and implements: –
1. Traps – (2 Nos)
2. Snares – (32 Nos.)
3. Bows – (65 Nos.)
4. Arrows – (112 Nos)
5. Spades – (20 Nos)
6. Axes – (40 Nos.)
7. Sickles – (60 Nos.)
Arrested (13) Gotthikoyas and cases registered under Section 51 read with 2(16), 9, 39, 50 Wildlife protection Act, 1972, and under section 58 read with section 2 of Bio-diversity Act, 2002. Total (3) PORs were registered under different sections and will produce before 1st class Magistrate, Kothagudem.
Further, based on the trophies age from 2/3 days to more than 1 year and storage of huge quantity of wildlife hunting material, and wildlife trophies indicting the severity of the issue and threat to the wildlife and forests. These villages are in the encroached forest land and set up with illegal electrical connectivity which is posing great danger to the wildlife protection. The rehabilitation and resettlement of theses illegal settlements need of the hour for the protection of the forests and wildlife.
