Joint Police–Forest Strategy to Crack Down on Bait Bomb Threat in Central Odisha

Cuttack: A high-level joint meeting was held on Wednesday via video conference under the chairmanship of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Cuttack, to address the alarming rise in the use of bait bombs targeting wild animals in Athgarh, Badamba, and Narasinghpur areas.

The meeting was attended by Superintendents of Police (SPs) of Central Range districts, the RCCF-cum-Field Director of Satkosia Tiger Reserve, and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) of Athagarh and Cuttack divisions.

Officials expressed serious concern over the growing use of bait bombs—explosive devices concealed in food items to harm or kill animals. They noted that such incidents pose a grave threat not only to wildlife but also to livestock and public safety, severely undermining ongoing conservation efforts in the region.

To tackle the issue, Odisha Police and forest authorities have decided to formulate and implement a joint strategy with a focus on zero tolerance towards illegal explosive devices, proactive protection of wildlife and communities, and strengthened coordination between police and forest departments.

Key measures discussed during the meeting include joint intelligence gathering, coordinated raids in vulnerable areas, and strict enforcement of relevant laws against offenders.

Authorities also urged the public to report any information related to the use of bait bombs, stressing that community cooperation is crucial to curb the menace and strengthen conservation efforts in the affected areas.