Minister for crackdown on use of crude bombs to hunt wild boar in villages bordering forests in Karnataka

Farmers camouflage crude explosives in fodder. When wild boar touch the fodder, they are killed by the explosive, or injured, thus preventing them from damaging agricultural crops.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Taking note of the use of low-intensity crude bombs to hunt boar in villages bordering forests in Karnataka, Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre directed officials to crack down on the practice.

At a review meeting of the Forest Department at Kollegal in Chamarajanagar district on April 23, the Minister said that other domestic and wild animals were dying after chewing the crude bombs, mistaking them to be fodder.

Calling upon officials for effective surveillance to prevent such practices, Mr. Khandre said that there were multiple incidents of domestic animals and other herbivores damaging their jaws and dying eventually due to hunger. He said there have been cases of elephant calves chewing the crude bombs and dying.

‘’The government is taking this matter seriously. Legal action should be initiated against those engaged in such practices,” the Minister said.

The use of crude bombs in villages bordering wildlife sanctuaries, and even territorial forests, is not new.

The practice is to camouflage crude explosives in fodder. When wild boar touch the fodder, they are killed by the explosive, or injured, thus preventing them from damaging agricultural crops.

Though targeted at wild boar, other unsuspecting animals, including elephants and cattle, have met with a slow and excruciating death, as the crude explosive goes off in their mouth, ripping off the jaw.

Wildlife activists have been complaining about this practice for years.

Instructions to grow bamboo in forests for elephants

The Forest Department was instructed to pay attention to bamboo cultivation, as it is a natural fodder for elephants. Noting the abundance of bamboo in the Cauvery Wildlife Division, the Minister said not only does it act as fodder for elephants, but obviates the need to enter human landscape in search of food, and thus reduces conflict situations. Mr. Khandre said that steps be taken to grow bamboo in other zones as well. He also directed that sandalwood trees be geo-tagged and protected.

Action against homestays and resorts

The Minister referred to a spate of complaints about resorts being constructed under the guise of homestays within forest areas and eco-sensitive zones. He said that legal action should be initiated against those violating the law.

The meeting was attended by Anjum Parvez, Additional Principal Chief Secretary, and Kumar Pushkar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.