The forest department will be maintaining a strict vigil across the Dalma wildlife sanctuary, 30 km from Jamshedpur, from Sunday to Monday evening in view of Sendra, the annual hunting festival.

The Bishu Shikar or Sendra is scheduled on May 24.

Foresters from Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Porahat, Kolhan and Saranda will be on duty at the sprawling sanctuary on the earmarked dates.

Divisional forest officers, range officers, foresters, forest guards and other personnel will be maintaining strict vigil at the elephant abode.

Local village youths will be recruited as daily wagers to keep watch on animals. Adequate number of vehicles will also be mobilised for swift patrol.

Chief Conservator of Forest Vishwanath Shah will also camp at the sanctuary to monitor the security arrangements.

“Around 650 forest personnel will be on duty for two days to prevent the killing of animals. We are aware that the DBSS has put-off the festival and will be only performing customary puja on the foothills but we need to be alert nevertheless to foil any attempt from tribals to enter the sanctuary and kill animals,” a Dalma forest official said.

Dalma range officer (West) Dinesh Chandra said elaborate security arrangements will be made to prevent killing of animals. “We don’t want a single animal to fall prey. We will be on the job from Sunday morning. We scanned a part of the sanctuary today to seize nets,” he added.

The Dolma Buru Sendra Samity chief priest Rakesh Hembrom said they will be performing customary puja at Fadlugora village along NH-33 on Sunday in presence of a few people. “We are aware of the ongoing lockdown and have already called off Sendra,” he added.

Hembrom, who lives in Gadra on the outskirts of Jamshedpur, has already reached Fadlugora to supervise puja arrangements. “Around 20 tribals from Jamshedpur will also be present during the puja. I have arranged a vehicle to ferry them to Fadlugora. We have also arranged necessary e-passes,” he added,

The DBSS chief priest said their tribal brethrens from Jharkhand, Bengal and Odisha have informed about their inability to come to Fadlura because of the lockdown.

The foresters have doubts that tribals living in 85-odd villagers dotting the Dalma sanctuary, may attempt to enter the reserve and hunt animals.

“You never know when local village tribals will enter the sanctuary and kill animals in the name of tradition. So, we have to be vigilant enough to foil any such attempts. After all, it is our responsibility to protect the animals from getting killed,” a Dalma forester said.

Sendra has been cancelled for the second time. The festival could not be celebrated last year due to the pandemic.