This story is from February 21, 2019

Kawal tiger killing: Whistleblower held for aiding poachers

Kawal tiger killing: Whistleblower held for aiding poachers
HYDERABAD: The man who helped authorities nab tiger poachers in Telangana last month was arrested by police on Wednesday for cheating and instigating locals into killing the tiger. Police from Ramagundam (Telangana) arrested Nandu Kishore Pimple, founder of Maharashtra-based Tiger Hunting End Association (THEA), along with seven other wildlife ‘activists’.
Pimple had orchestrated a ‘sting operation’ in January that had led to the arrest of four poachers in Shivaram wildlife sanctuary near Kawal Tiger reserve.
In all, 16 persons were arrested, including two animal trackers, four brokers and three poachers.
Nandu claimed that he was involved in at least 70 operations that led to wild animals being rescued and skins being seized. Police officials, however, allege that Pimple and his team not only instigated Telangana locals to poach a tiger by offering up to Rs 30 lakh for the skin, but also ran away with Rs 4.8 lakh from poachers by claiming that Pimple was a ‘baba’ who could double their money by putting cash on tiger skin and performing puja.
Police seized the cash and two vehicles used in the alleged offence.
Ramagundam police commissioner V Satyanarayana told TOI, “Pimple started off as an electrician, then ran a dhaba on the Gadchiroli highway from 2000 to 2007 where he met poachers.
Pimple wanted the skin for Rs 10L but poachers asked Rs 30 lakh
“He turned informer for police and foresters in 2008. As the rewards for informing on poachers were not lucrative, he started blackmailing hunters. In 2016, he started THEA and ran awareness campaigns.”

Giving details about poaching in Kawal forest, officials said the tiger was first spotted last year on Dec 15 in Kadem range and then on Jan 6 in Shivaram. Two animal trackers, identified as MD Sharif and Tokala Rajalingu employed by the forest department, informed the villagers about the animal’s movement.
Satyanarayana said, “The trackers also told the villagers that they could make big money if they poached the tiger. Four poachers then put up traps and electrocuted the tiger. They then contacted a Maharashtra-based gang through mediators to sell the skin. The gang is connected to THEA. Pimple wanted to buy the skin for Rs 10 lakh, but the poachers demanded Rs 30 lakh. So, he informed forest officials for the reward.”
According to cops, he also cheated the poachers with his baba trick. Even as poachers put Rs 4.8 lakh cash on the tiger skin, Pimple called in the foresters and had the men arrested. “Pimple and his associates ran away with the cash,” Satyanarayana added.
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About the Author
U Sudhakar Reddy

Sudhakar Reddy Udumula is the Editor (Investigation) at the Times of India, Hyderabad. Following the trail of migration and drought across the rustic landscape of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Sudhakar reported extensively on government apathy, divisive politics, systemic gender discrimination, agrarian crisis and the will to survive great odds. His curiosity for peeking behind the curtain triumphed over the criminal agenda of many scamsters in the highest political and corporate circles, making way for breaking stories such as Panama Papers Scam, Telgi Stamp Paper Scam, and many others. His versatility in reporting extended to red corridors of left-wing extremism where the lives of security forces and the locals in Maoist-affected areas were key points of investigation. His knack for detail provided crucial evidence of involvement from overseas in terrorist bombings in Hyderabad.

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