A sustained campaign launched by West Bengal Forest Department to prevent ritualistic hunting has paid off with almost no cases of ritualistic hunting recorded in the State’s Jangalmahal region this season. S. Kulandaivel, Chief Conservator of Forests, West Bengal, told The Hindu that ritualistic hunting is observed in the month of May, particularly during month’s full moon ( purnima) and new-moon ( amavasya).
“We have been able to reduce the [ritualistic] hunting by 95%. We started the campaign in November 2021. Along with the Forest Department, local people are involved in the campaign,” Mr. Kulandaivel said.
