WildlifeCrime – MP Forest Department Seeks Telecom Data Access

WildlifeCrime – Statutory gaps are limiting the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department’s ability to investigate organised wildlife crime, particularly cases involving digital communication and cross-border trafficking networks.

The department has informed the Madhya Pradesh High Court that existing legal and regulatory frameworks prevent its officers from directly accessing critical telecom data such as call detail records (CDRs) and location-based services (LBS). These digital records are often crucial in tracking wildlife poachers and dismantling trafficking syndicates.

Lack of Direct Access to Telecom Data

Currently, forest and wildlife crime officers are not notified as authorised agencies by the Central government to obtain telecom data directly from service providers. As a result, they must rely on other agencies, primarily the police or certain central authorities, to retrieve such information.

Officials say this dependency leads to procedural delays, which can significantly impact the speed and effectiveness of investigations. In wildlife crime cases, timely access to digital evidence often determines whether enforcement teams can intercept suspects or prevent further illegal activity.

In its submission before the High Court, the forest department highlighted that wildlife offenders increasingly use mobile phones, encrypted communication platforms, and digital tools that mask their locations. These methods make traditional tracking more difficult and place greater importance on telecom-based intelligence.

High Court Hearing on Tiger Deaths

The issue surfaced during proceedings related to a petition filed by Bhopal-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey. The plea concerns a reported increase in tiger deaths in the state, prompting judicial scrutiny of enforcement mechanisms and conservation measures.

During the hearing, the department outlined the structural constraints it faces while probing organised wildlife crime. It stated that the absence of direct telecom access is not merely an administrative hurdle but a systemic limitation rooted in statutory provisions.

Officials indicated that the state government has approached the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications, seeking a formal notification that would empower wildlife crime investigation agencies, including the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the state forest department, to lawfully access telecom data. However, no final decision has been communicated so far.

Dependence on Police for Digital Evidence

Sources involved in wildlife crime investigations in Madhya Pradesh said that forest officials often have to route requests for CDRs and LBS through the police. This process, while legally compliant, can slow down investigations—particularly in cases involving organised poaching gangs.

Such syndicates frequently operate across districts and, in some instances, across state or national borders. Investigators say that immediate access to digital communication records can help identify networks, trace financial links, and pinpoint movement patterns of suspects. Delays may allow accused individuals to destroy evidence or change locations.

The department has stressed that strengthening statutory provisions at the Central level would significantly improve the enforcement of wildlife protection laws and enhance coordination between agencies.

Majority of Tiger Deaths Attributed to Natural Causes

Addressing concerns raised in the petition, the forest department also submitted data on tiger mortality in 2025. According to a scientific assessment of 55 tiger deaths recorded during the year, most were attributed to natural causes rather than poaching.

Officials clarified that each tiger death undergoes a standard protocol, including post-mortem examination and field investigation, to determine the cause. The findings, they said, indicate that while poaching remains a concern, it was not the primary factor behind the majority of recorded deaths this year.

Nonetheless, the department maintained that organised wildlife crime continues to pose a serious threat, particularly given the evolving use of technology by offenders. It reiterated the need for legal reforms that would allow wildlife enforcement agencies to act more swiftly and independently in accessing digital evidence.

The matter remains under consideration, with the High Court expected to review further submissions as the case progresses.