PTR issues warning against trade of Katarua and wild mushrooms in Pilibhit
Pilibhit: Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) issued a warning on Thursday against collection of Katarua (Sal tree buds) and wild mushrooms from the reserve's core forest area, with the onset of monsoon in UP's Terai region.
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The warning is intended to alert residents of 275 villages located in the eco-sensitive zone of the reserve, as villagers have become accustomed to illegally entering the forest to collect Katarua, which commands a high market price of up to Rs 1,200 per kg.
Divisional forest officer of PTR, Manish Singh, said, "As per rules of a tiger reserve, collection of forest produce from core forest area is strictly prohibited, and no one can enter the reserve without prior permission from forest authorities."
"People involved in collection and sale of Katarua or wild mushrooms will be penalised under Wildlife Protection Act. To discourage market demand for these two forest products, it has also been decided to bring buyers within scope of legal action," he added.
He has also urged district magistrate Gyanendra Singh and SP Abhishek Yadav to assist in monitoring and controlling sellers and buyers of these forest products.
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