Call 1800 4255364 to report wildlife crime

HYDERABAD: A phone call to the forest department toll-free number is all that is required to bring to book cases of smuggling, forest encroachments or animal rescue.According to forest officials, after the help line was set up in February, it has seen an increased number of citizens volunteering to give information about encroachments and smuggling activities.The Crime Control toll-free number is 18004255364 and the cell receives around 25 complaints per week. M Raja Ramana Reddy, assistant conservator of forests says they have been able to take action against many offenders through complaints received by the crime control cell."Earlier, people had to approach higher officials to give complaints.Now with the toll-free number, the identities of callers are not revealed.Hence people don't hesitate to call."  A month ago, a forest official in Bhadrachalam was caught illegally transporting timber after a local called up the department about the offence.Avinash Visvanathan, general secretary, Friends of Snakes, a wildlife NGO said after the help line was set up, it has become much easier for the organisation to rescue animals as they don't have to worry about which official to approach."We have been able to alert the department of many cases where animals were being sold in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act," he said, quoting a recent instance where they were able to check illegal sale of Red Sand Boa snakes. The superstition goes that Red Sand Boa brings wealth to the owner.Hence, illegal sale of these snakes is rampant.Despite the service evoking good response from public, Raja Ramana Reddy feels it is better to create more awareness among the public.