Mysuru: Forest offences are common. But is it because the investigative and judicial system is such that over 580 cases of forest offences in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve are far from being cracked? Wildlife activists fume, and according to them the tigers are running out of time.

The Wildlife Trust in Karnataka has written to the principal chief conservator of forests, demanding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into high-priority cases in Nagarahole. The move came after an RTI query by the trust revealed that of the 704 cases registered in the tiger reserve till September 17, 2013, probe has been completed and charge sheets have been filed only in 120.

“Forest officials have to take the lead and delve deep into these cases, else they’ll never be able to track the culprits. A premier tiger reserve is constantly under threat and this is not a good sign. If officials are so busy with civil work, the government has to think about employing more of them. You cannot expect forest guards to lead investigations,” wildlife expert Praveen Bhargav told a local newspaper.

Wildlife experts believe that forest officials have enough power when it comes to cracking down on criminals. A statement made by a witness before a forest officer is admissible as evidence in court and in case a person is caught with animal meat or article, the burden of proving his or her innocence rests with the accused.