Kothagudem: Forest Department vows action over FBO’s death in electric snare

The Forest Department has vowed action against those responsible for the death of forest beat officer B Naveen Naik after he came into contact with an illegal electric snare. Officials are probing the connection and strengthening safety measures in vulnerable forest areas.

Kothagudem: The forest department has taken the death of forest beat officer B Naveen Naik extremely seriously and steps were being taken to punish those responsible, asserted the district forest officer Siddarth Vikram Singh.

The DFO along with the police and electricity department officials on Thursday inspected the spot in Paloncha reserve forest range where the FBO lost his life after coming into contact with an illegal electric snare reportedly laid for hunting wildlife.

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The forest, police and electricity departments were coordinating in bringing out the facts such as who installed the illegal electric snare, how the electricity supply was obtained, who arranged the illegal connection and whether any other persons were involved in the illegal activity, Singh said.

Singh emphasised that the field-level role of the electricity department was important in identifying, monitoring and preventing illegal use of electricity that could endanger the lives of wildlife as well humans.

He stressed the need for stronger coordination between the forest and electricity departments to identify vulnerable areas, monitor suspicious electrical connections and promptly share information regarding any illegal use of electricity in forest areas.

The forest department would strengthen measures mapping of vulnerable and high-risk locations, collecting and sharing of information on suspicious electrical connections and special safety and vigilance instructions to field staff before entering forest areas.

The forest personnel would be sensitised to be alert to illegal electric wires, snares and other dangerous hunting methods while carrying out field duties. Every aspect leading to the death of the FBO would be examined in depth, the DFO noted.

He appealed to the public to cooperate with the forest department and informed the officials about any suspicious electric wires, illegal connections or hunting snares noticed in or around forest areas.