Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), July 18: Two individuals were apprehended on Tuesday in Similipal Tiger Reserve of Mayurbhanj district for engaging in illegal hunting and trading of Indian porcupine meat, marking a significant crackdown.
The arrested individuals, identified as Chamtu Hembram (40) and Baidhar Soren (54) from Alubani village under Kuliana police jurisdiction, Mayurbhanj, face charges under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Baidhar Soren, one of the accused, reportedly serves as the in-charge headmaster at Haldibani UP School in Samakhunta Tahasil.
Following a tip-off on July 16 regarding the illegal hunting of an Indian porcupine, classified as a Schedule-1 animal, Dr. Samrat Gouda, Deputy Director of Similipal (South), coordinated a rapid action team. The team successfully apprehended the suspects and seized incriminating items, including a gun, bow and arrows, porcupine meat, and tools like a cutting instrument.
“After thorough interrogation, both accused were presented before the court for violating wildlife protection laws,” stated Dr. Gouda during a media briefing. The seized items included a handmade gun, bow, arrows, a cutting tool, 1.15 kilograms of porcupine meat, and 88 quills weighing a total of 50 grams.
