Awareness campaigns by the state forest department seem to have paid off as the annual Adivasi hunting festival passed off peacefully and without the ritualistic slaughter of a large number of animals.

The tribal hunters taking part in Sendra did manage to slip into the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary late on Sunday, but could not go on a hunting spree, although unconfirmed reports suggested that four wild boars and two sloth bears were killed.

The Ranchi wildlife division denied any animal killing took place. "We have not received reports of animal killings. Our efforts to educate tribals about the futility of killing animals in the name of a festival and foolproof security arrangements have borne fruit," principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Pradeep Kumar told The Telegraph.

Kumar, who was at the Pinderbera forest guest house to supervise security arrangements, added that the observance of Sendra had undergone several changes over the years.

"Animals were hunted in large numbers some five-six years back. Now, it is not so. We laid maximum emphasis on security and awareness campaigns in the run-up to the festival this year. We are trying to ensure Sendra becomes a cultural activity," the senior forest official said.

For that, Kumar emphasised, the support of the tribal community was key.

"We will try to expand sports activities like archery and football, and conduct folk programmes to connect with tribals," he said.

Another factor that helped prevent animal killings was that the two tribal outfits, Dalma Sendra Buru Samity and Dalma Sendra Buru Dishua Samity, agreed to observe the festival on the same day,

On Monday, a few tribals were spotted in the sanctuary. Check points at Ghatshila, Bahragora, Pipla, Dalbhumgarh, Hata and Raghunathpur prevented most hunters from getting in. "We distributed jaggery and channa at the check points, besides telling them about the futility of hunting animals in the name of a festival," said Shiv Kumar Prasad, DFO (social forestry division, Jamshedpur).

Moreover, the Dalma Sendra Buru Samity also kept vigil at Fadlugora and Makulakocha, the two entry points of the hills.

A team of hunters from Jaduguda looked disappointed. " Ek bhi shikar haath nahin laga. Ab ghar ko jaa rahen hain (Couldn't hunt a single animal. Heading home now)," said Budheshwar Soren as he waited with others near the Pinderbera forest guest house in the afternoon.