Pic: Shedegali anti-poaching camp in Khanapur taluk is non-operationalBelagavi: More than 15 anti-poaching camps set up across Khanapur, Londa, Nagaragali, and Kanakumbi forest ranges in Khanapur taluk have been non-functional for nearly three years. This has triggered serious concerns over wildlife protection and given poachers a free run in several vulnerable forest stretches.According to sources, each camp earlier employed four contract-based watchers working in shifts to monitor vehicle and human movement. However, all the watchers were discontinued about three years ago due to fund constraints, following which most of the camps became defunct. Though permanent structures and basic facilities exist at these locations, many lie unused.The closure of the Shedegali camp in the Khanapur forest range two months ago has added to the concern. Located on the Khanapur–Hemmadaga Road connecting Karnataka and Goa, the camp earlier enforced restrictions on vehicle movement between 7pm and 7am. With the camp now shut, vehicular movement along the forest stretch continues unchecked.These camps earlier played a crucial role in regulating vehicle and public movement within forest areas and in preventing poaching and illegal activities. While anti-poaching camps in the ecologically sensitive Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary area are largely operational, the non-functioning of several camps in critical territorial ranges has emerged as a major issue.According to wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni, defunct camps include Daroli, Chapoli, and Shedegali in the Khanapur range; Diggegali and Rajawal in the Londa range; Chorla in the Kanakumbi range; and several camps in the Nagaragali range. Many of these are located in ecologically important habitats and along inter-state borders, making them vital for effective wildlife protection and law enforcement.Kulkarni stressed the need for immediate financial allocation to revive and operationalise these camps to strengthen anti-poaching measures and ensure long-term wildlife conservation in the region.Speaking to The TOI, district conservator of forests (DCF) NE Kranti confirmed that the contract-based watchers were discontinued three years ago. However, he maintained that several of the camps continue to function, though concerns persist over gaps in protection in key forest areas.
