Forest dept's 'social boycott' to stop crimes triggers row

THE Chhattisgarh forest department has directed officials to use ‘social boycott’ as a weapon to rein in wildlife crimes across the state, a decision that has triggered a controversy.

- EJAZ KAISER @ Raipur

Internal documents from a review meeting, which have been accessed by this newspaper, revealed a directive from Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Arun Kumar Pandey that calls for enforcing social isolation, besides legal action, against people involved in wildlife crimes. The move has sparked a debate over human rights, though the measure is aimed at dismantling poaching networks operating within the state.