In a significant crackdown on wildlife crime, forest department personnel in Odisha's Ganjam district apprehended a man for allegedly hunting a blackbuck, an animal granted the highest legal protection. The incident occurred on Thursday in Kebripalli village, sending shockwaves through the local conservation community.
Arrest Made During Forest Patrol
The accused has been identified as 28-year-old Rabindra Kumar Parida. The arrest was made by vigilant forest staff during a routine patrol in the area. According to Himansu Sekhar Mohanty, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Ghumusar North, the officials spotted a group of five individuals actively engaged in processing the carcass of a blackbuck.
"During patrolling, forest personnel spotted five persons engaged in dressing, cleaning and chopping the carcass of a blackbuck by hanging it from a tree branch," stated Mohanty. Upon being noticed, four of the suspects managed to flee the scene, evading capture. However, Parida was not as quick and was taken into custody by the authorities.
Electrocution Trap and Meat Seizure
Preliminary investigations into the poaching have revealed a tragic and unintended method of killing. The blackbuck is suspected to have been electrocuted by a live-wire trap that was originally set up by the accused to hunt wild boar. This highlights the indiscriminate and dangerous nature of such illegal trapping methods, which often claim non-target species.
A substantial amount of evidence was recovered from the site. The forest department officials seized approximately 30 kilograms of blackbuck meat along with other body parts, which will be crucial for the legal proceedings. DFO Mohanty confirmed that the search for the four absconding individuals has been intensified to ensure they face justice.
Conservationists Call for Stringent Action
The poaching incident has drawn strong condemnation from wildlife protectors. Amulya Upadhaya, the president of the Blackbuck Protection Committee, emphasized the rarity and seriousness of the crime. "It might be the first blackbuck poaching case in the district after several years," Upadhaya noted, underscoring the need for a robust response.
He further urged the authorities to take stringent legal action against all the poachers involved. The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which affords it the highest degree of protection. Hunting or trading this species can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment.
The case underscores the ongoing challenges in protecting India's vulnerable wildlife, even as forest departments increase vigilance. The arrest serves as a warning to potential poachers while highlighting the critical work of ground staff in conserving the nation's natural heritage.
