Rapid response team deployed in Kanchanpur to protect forests and wildlife during festivals

Kanchanpur: A rapid response team has been mobilized under the Kunda Sub-Division Forest Office in Kanchanpur to curb illegal activities in forest areas during the festive season.

According to Forest Office Chief Dinesh Kumar Yadav, the team’s primary objectives include rescuing wild animals, controlling illegal poaching, conducting regular forest patrols, preventing smuggling of forest products, and ensuring effective forest conservation.

The response team was deployed as community forest users become occupied with Dashain and other festivals, creating increased risks of poaching and smuggling. The 15-member team comprises representatives from all eight community forests as well as Forest Office staff. Members will patrol the forest areas round the clock throughout Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath.

“The goal is to secure forest areas during this year’s festive season through close coordination with community forest officials, employees, and security personnel,” said Yadav. Teams have been stationed across eight community forests in Belauri and Punarbas municipalities.

To strengthen its operation, the Forest Office has arranged a 24-hour open hotline for reporting wildlife rescues, forest product smuggling, and poaching incidents. “Based on information received, the team will be mobilized immediately, day or night, and will coordinate with local police and communities,” Yadav explained.

The Belauri and Punarbas areas are regarded as particularly sensitive due to their proximity to the Indian border, which raises concerns over cross-border illegal activities. Yadav added that the response team will also address issues of human-wildlife conflict. “Leopards and tigers have occasionally attacked residents and livestock, while wild elephants and pythons have entered settlements. The team will assist in managing such cases and rescuing injured animals.”

The initiative was launched after consultations and strategy discussions with community forest users. Local user committees have welcomed the mobilization, expressing confidence that it will strengthen wildlife conservation efforts and reduce theft and smuggling of forest products.