Forest officials in Uttarakhand’s Rajaji Tiger Reserve have arrested five suspected poachers from a farmhouse near the reserve’s southern boundary. The arrests took place on Wednesday during a special patrol in the Chillawali range, Lalwala beat no. 1A.
The operation was carried out after intelligence inputs indicated that a group was using the farmhouse as a hideout for poaching activities. Acting swiftly, forest teams raided the property and seized hunting equipment, traps, and sharp weapons believed to be intended for illegal hunting inside the reserve.
The accused were presented before a local magistrate and have been sent to jail under judicial custody. Officials are investigating possible links between the group and a larger poaching network operating across Uttarakhand and adjoining states.
Rajaji Tiger Reserve, spread over Dehradun, Haridwar, and Pauri districts, is an important habitat for elephants, tigers, leopards, and several endangered species. Poaching continues to be a major threat in the region, often driven by demand for animal parts in illegal markets.
“Rajaji Tiger Reserve is a lifeline for many species, especially elephants and big cats. Such incidents underline the dangers posed by poaching networks. Our teams remain alert and will continue to take strict action against those who threaten wildlife,” a senior forest officer said.
Wildlife activists have praised the swift action, noting that poachers increasingly use remote farmhouses or rented properties near forest edges to avoid detection. Conservationists are urging the government to deploy more surveillance technology, including drones and camera traps, to strengthen protection efforts.
Local residents living around the reserve reported unusual activity in recent weeks, including sounds of gunfire. Some had expressed concerns about suspicious movements around the forest’s periphery. Their inputs are believed to have played a role in alerting the authorities.
Under the Wildlife Protection Act, those convicted of poaching face imprisonment of up to seven years and heavy fines. Legal experts say that strict enforcement and speedy trials are necessary to deter organized poaching networks, which often operate across state and national borders.
The Rajaji arrests are part of a wider conservation challenge in Uttarakhand, which also hosts Corbett National Park and several other protected areas. As tourism grows, forest officials stress the need to balance ecological preservation with economic activity.
The five accused remain in custody while investigations continue. Officials said they are scrutinizing the seized materials to identify the group’s targets and potential buyers. More arrests could follow as investigators widen the probe into the network.
The incident highlights both the vulnerabilities and the vigilance required to protect Uttarakhand’s wildlife. It is also a reminder of the crucial role of community cooperation in supporting forest authorities. For Rajaji Tiger Reserve, the crackdown represents another step in the ongoing battle to safeguard its precious ecosystem.
