Baripada : Every year in April, tribals unleash the frenzy of a primitive 'shikar' ritual, killing hundreds of wild animals in Orissa's Mayurbhaj district. The annual hunting spree takes such a toll on the wildlife in and around the 2,750-square-km Simplipal National Park that the government has set up special anti-poaching squads. Section 17 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, clearly bans the killing of animals in the park.

But, it has done little to deter the tribals because the only ban they accept is that women can't be part of the bloody ritual.

From April 14 onwards, groups of able-bodied tribals armed with bows, arrows, spears and axes will slice through the thick foliage for their 'akhand shikar'. These groups compete for game and kill for sport, putting the wildlife at grave risk.

"This year, the park is well-equipped to deter poachers," said Simlipal Tiger Reserve director-cum-conservator of forests Debabrata Swain. "We have deployed 54 ex-servicemen and 100 volunteers of the Sabuja Vahinis (green brigades) to guard vulnerable entry points of the park and it's animal-rich areas," he added.

 

 

 

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