PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Forest department has issued an alert across Uttarakhand to curb the illegal hunting of owls and other wildlife during Deepawali. The move comes as reports indicate that in some regions, people still follow superstitious practices of sacrificing owls to please Goddess Lakshmi.
The department has asked all forest divisions to remain on high alert and to intensify patrolling in forest areas where such incidents are likely. The chief conservator of forests Sameer Sinha said that Deepawali is a festival of joy and prosperity but ignorance and greed often lead to attempts of hunting wild animals during this period. He stated that the owl, regarded as the Sawari of Goddess Lakshmi, becomes a target for illegal hunting and trade at this time of year. To counter this, forest officials and field staff have been instructed to maintain strict surveillance and act immediately against any suspicious activity.
Sinha stated that preserving wildlife and maintaining ecological balance during festivals is a collective responsibility. He said that awareness campaigns are also being conducted to inform people that harming animals for ritualistic purposes is a punishable offense under the Wildlife Protection Act. The department has also increased coordination with local police and wildlife protection units to ensure stronger monitoring, especially in forest areas known for previous hunting incidents. Continuous night patrolling, village-level monitoring and information-sharing networks have been activated to prevent any illegal activity, he said.
Sinha said that the department aims to ensure that Deepawali is celebrated with happiness and cultural tradition but without causing harm to nature or wildlife. The department has appealed to the public to report any cases of animal hunting or trading to the nearest forest office immediately.
