Poaching groups suspected behind forest fire, camp blast in Chamarajanagar

Chamarajanagar: A day after three suspected poachers were killed in an encounter in Hanur wildlife division, miscreants allegedly targeted the forest department in a series of retaliatory acts, setting fire to nearly 10 acres of forest and damaging an anti-poaching camp.

Forest officials suspect the incidents may be linked to the August 15 encounter in which three suspected poachers were killed. The developments have raised concern among officials overseeing the Cauvery and Male Mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuaries.

A fire was reported in the Shiluvapura forest area of Kollegala taluk, destroying nearly 10 acres of forest cover. An anti-poaching camp near Jageri was also reportedly vandalised.

The latest incident comes days after an anti-poaching camp at Minchinarehalli in the Kottanur range was allegedly blown up using explosives. The blast damaged the camp walls and destroyed several items kept inside. No injuries were reported.

Officials are now stepping up security in vulnerable forest areas and investigating the possibility of a coordinated retaliation by groups involved in illegal hunting.