‘Catch the trap’ campaign by Telangana Forest felt to combat poaching of wild animals

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Forest Department launched a special campaign called 'Catch The Trap' on Friday to combat the ever-increasing poaching of wild animals in the forests.

Forest officials planned a special drive to identify poachers, seize their equipment, check past records, and search suspects, ensuring thorough inspection of forest areas in this campaign.

The use of nets, traps, live wires, poison, explosives, and other methods to kill or hunt forest animals was additionally prohibited by the forest officials. The confiscated hunting equipment and materials will be meticulously documented and transported to Hyderabad for safekeeping and to prevent re-use.

Forest officials will also examine agricultural fields adjacent to forest, villages and forest-adjacent areas at the field level.

Forest officials will reward and promote top-performing field staff, as well as maintain the confidentiality of informers and their identities under this campaign.

The forest department urged the public to report any illegal hunting activities, using the District Forest Officer's and toll-free number for reporting items used for such activities.

The forest department has asked the public to report regarding any illegal hunting, items used for the same or hunting related activities can be reported to the concerned District Forest Officer or on the toll free number.