Nazgzira, 30th September, 2024: As part of Wildlife Trust of India’s enforcement initiatives, regular anti-snare walk and anti-electrocution drives are being conducted in critical Nawegaon-Nagzira corridor areas. These walks, focussed on detecting and removing snares and live wires help detect wildlife crime hotspots and closely monitoring animal movement to protect tigers and improve the overall corridor functionality.

Between April and September 2024, WTI in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department conducted 50 joint Anti-Snare/Electrocution Walks in and around Nawegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR). The efforts have led to the dismantling of 82 snares, 10 bird traps, and also reported two electrocution incidents to the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB). Additionally, the team also assisted the seizure of two deer antlers and one turtle carapace, reflecting the persistent threats to wildlife in this region. During this period, two red-collared doves, which were being used as bait, were also rescued and released back into the wild.

Multiloop snares placed to trap hares | Photograph Idris Mohammed/WTI

For almost a decade, the Central India Tiger Corridor Securement Project has been vital in addressing human-tiger conflicts and enhancing habitat connectivity across the Nawegaon-Nagzira landscape. WTI has collaborated with the Maharashtra Forest Department to mitigate these challenges, reducing human pressures on fragmented corridors while supporting conservation management of tiger habitats.

To further strengthen the initiatives, a three-day orientation program was organized for the newly recruited Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) staff in August, this year. This training involved the participation of 65 STPF personnel, stationed across Nawegaon, Wadegaon, and Chandrapur ranges. The training program included both presentation and practical anti-snare walk sessions. The presentations covered topics such as identifying different types of snares, traps, and understanding the drivers behind snaring and electrocution incidents. Documentation of these incidents was emphasized as a critical tool for improving the efficiency of future enforcement walks and detecting patterns over time.

Practical sessions during the workshop focused on field exercises, offering a hands-on experience in detecting hidden snares and live wires. Participants were trained to identify how metal wires are crafted into snares and how to differentiate them from ordinary wires. The aim was to help the frontline patrolling staff understand the dangers of electric wires hooked to fences. The training gained particular urgency due to recent movements of the collared tigress NT3 in areas prone to electrocution.

Orientation session on anti-snare walk and anti-electrocution drives for the STPF Staff | Photograph by WTI

A three-day wildlife crime prevention training for 30 frontline staff of the Gondia Forest Division was also conducted in the moth of September. This training provided a global and Indian scenario of wildlife crime, recent amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and other key legal frameworks such as the CrPC and Evidence Act. The sessions included mock wildlife crime scenarios to teach effective crime scene investigation and documentation. The training also introduced participants to the illegal exotic pet trade and commonly traded wildlife articles, equipping them with the skills needed to combat wildlife crime. Each staff member received a field kit to enhance their operational effectiveness.

The strategic importance of the Nawegaon-Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary within the Central Indian landscape cannot be overstated. This corridor links several tiger reserves, making it critical for ensuring safe dispersal of tigers. The recent augmentation of the tiger population in NNTR through translocation efforts and the sighting of full-grown cubs highlighted the need for secure passages for dispersing tigers. Between 2020 and 2024, NNTR lost two of its tigers to electrocution, underscoring the urgency of continued conservation efforts. WTI’s collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department and stakeholders like MSEB, through the Central India Tiger Corridor Project, supported by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), remains crucial in mitigating these risks and ensuring the long-term safety of tigers and other wildlife in the region.