The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to tackle alarming reports of tiger poaching in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. On Wednesday, a bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued notices to the central government and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). They want responses within four weeks on a plea calling for a CBI investigation into organized tiger poaching.
The plea, filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, highlights a shocking network uncovered by a Maharashtra government SIT probe. This syndicate includes professional poachers, smugglers, and even hawala operators who hunt tigers and traffic their skins, bones, and trophies across state lines and even internationally. It’s a big blow to tiger conservation efforts in India, where these big cats face growing threats.
According to the plea, poachers are targeting areas outside protected zones, like territorial forest divisions and wildlife corridors. These spots, flagged as key tiger dispersal habitats by the Wildlife Institute of India, suffer from weak surveillance, making them easy hunting grounds for gangs. Bansal told the court that over 30 tigers in India live outside safe protected areas, putting them at high risk.
He also pointed out that the trafficking ring involves local communities, including the Van Gujar tribe, and urged the CBI to launch a full probe to dismantle this illegal operation. With India’s tiger population on the rise thanks to conservation work, this case underscores the urgent need to protect these majestic animals from poaching syndicates.
The court heard initial arguments and set a tight deadline for replies, showing how seriously they’re taking the tiger poaching crisis in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Stay tuned as this develops—tiger conservation in India hangs in the balance.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
