Surveillance tech nabs poachers at Wular Lake

Srinagar, Dec 16: Kashmir Wildlife Department has achieved a big victory in its fight against poaching by using advanced surveillance cameras. Recently, the department caught several poachers in Wular Lake, one of the largest wetlands in Asia and a designated Ramsar site. The authorities are calling this a breakthrough in the effort to protect wildlife in the Kashmir Valley.
According to an official, the Wildlife Warden of Srinagar, the department received information that some individuals were attempting to harm wildlife species in the Wular. Acting on this tip, they increased their surveillance and on December 8, managed to capture images of four poachers with shotguns on CCTV at Wular Lake.
Following this, the Wildlife Department, along with the Srinagar Police, conducted raids in Srinagar and arrested one of the accused, Farooq Boktoo, on December 10. Boktoo was seen in the CCTV footage holding a gun, and his shotgun was seized during the arrest. Additionally, 12 duck decoys, which were being used by the poachers to lure migratory waterfowl into ambushes, were also seized during the raids.
After the arrest, the accused provided the names of other individuals involved in the poaching activities. These individuals have since been questioned, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities are now working to cancel the gun licenses of the poachers and verify whether people living within 10 kilometres of wildlife sanctuaries or national parks have obtained the required wildlife clearance, which is mandatory for gun ownership.
The Wildlife Department has written to the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across Kashmir Valley, requesting them to cancel the licenses of those who have used firearms illegally. They have also urged the District Magistrates (DMs) to check if gun license holders in these areas have obtained proper clearance from the Wildlife Department, as required by law. This verification process will help ensure that no one is illegally using guns in sensitive wildlife zones.
The Wildlife Department is also taking steps to prevent further poaching by setting up teams to monitor sensitive water bodies across the valley. These teams will be responsible for conducting regular inspections to ensure the safety of wildlife in these areas.
While Jammu and Kashmir have had a history of issuing special hunting licenses in the past, recreational hunting has been banned since 2002, when the state’s wildlife laws were updated to align with national wildlife protection laws.