Bhubaneswar: In a decisive response to the growing menace of illegal explosive devices in forested regions, a high-level coordination meeting was convened on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Satyajit Naik, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Cuttack.
Held via video conference, the strategic meeting brought together Superintendents of Police from Central Range districts, the RCCF-cum-Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve, and Divisional Forest Officers from Athgarh and Cuttack divisions.
The meeting focused on the alarming rise in the use of “bait bombs” — crude explosive devices often concealed in food items to target wildlife — in sensitive forest areas of Athgarh, Badamba, and Narasinghpur. Officials described the practice as a grave threat to biodiversity, livestock, and public safety, undermining years of conservation efforts in the Satkosia landscape.
Chairing the meeting, Naik directed the Odisha Police and Satkosia Tiger Reserve authorities to integrate their operational efforts into a unified enforcement mechanism, declaring a “zero-tolerance” policy toward the manufacture, possession, and deployment of illegal explosives. He emphasized that the indiscriminate nature of these devices poses a dual danger — to endangered wildlife and to local communities residing along forest fringes.
As part of the joint strategy, police and forest officials will immediately initiate coordinated intelligence-sharing operations aimed at identifying poaching networks and illegal manufacturing units. This will be followed by targeted raids and strict legal action under relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act and the Explosives Act to ensure stringent punishment for offenders.
The IGP stressed that seamless inter-agency coordination will be central to neutralizing the explosive threat and securing the Satkosia corridor. By combining the tactical capabilities of law enforcement with the on-ground expertise of forest personnel, authorities aim to create a robust security framework that permanently deters such criminal activities.
Calling for community participation, Naik urged citizens to report any suspicious movement or information regarding explosive devices to the nearest police station or forest office. He underscored that public vigilance is crucial to safeguarding Odisha’s natural heritage and ensuring the long-term safety of wildlife and rural communities.
The administration reiterated its commitment to protecting the ecological integrity of the Satkosia region and ensuring that such hazardous and inhumane practices are eradicated from the landscape.
