Cross-Border Forest Raid Nets Poachers in Tiger Reserve
In a significant crackdown on wildlife crime, forest teams from two states executed a coordinated cross-border operation resulting in the arrest of two alleged poachers from Odisha. The individuals were apprehended for illegally entering the protected Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) with the intent to hunt wildlife, prompting authorities to announce plans for substantially expanded patrols extending up to 50 kilometers inside adjoining border areas to prevent future incursions.
Tip-Off Triggers Coordinated Enforcement Action
The enforcement action was initiated following a specific tip-off received on April 1. A specialized team, led by Kulhadighat buffer range officer Dinesh Chaudhary, swiftly mobilized and conducted a targeted raid on Gantiyapada Katfar village. This village falls under the jurisdiction of the Boden police station in Nuapada district, Odisha, highlighting the cross-state nature of the operation.
Weapons Seized and Arrests Made
During a thorough search of a residence belonging to suspect Jairam Paharia, officials uncovered critical evidence: two traditional bows, five arrows, and a ghurru (a traditional bell). Based on this recovery, the forest team immediately arrested Jairam Paharia and his accomplice, Barnasing Paharia, both residents of the same village. During interrogation, the accused confessed to entering the tiger reserve under cover of darkness armed with these weapons specifically to hunt wildlife.
Furthermore, the detained individuals provided investigators with information regarding other villagers allegedly involved in previous poaching incidents within the reserve. A subsequent search operation is currently underway to locate and apprehend these additional suspects.
Legal Proceedings and Judicial Custody
The forest department has formally booked the duo under multiple stringent sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including Sections 2, 9, 27, 29, 31, 51, and 52. The arrested individuals were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Gariaband on April 7, 2026. The court has remanded them to 14-day judicial custody, and they are currently held at the Gariaband district jail as the legal process advances.
Joint Inter-State Effort and Investigation
This successful operation underscores the importance of inter-state cooperation in wildlife conservation. It was a joint endeavor involving forest officials from both Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Key personnel included trainee IFS officer Arnab Samantra from Odisha and USTR anti-poaching nodal officer Gopal Singh Kashyap. The specialized USTR sniffer dog team also played a vital role in the investigative phase, aiding in evidence collection and tracking.
Range Officer Dinesh Chaudhary is leading the ongoing, comprehensive investigation into the matter. The forest department has signaled a heightened state of alert, with plans to significantly widen and intensify patrol networks deep into border zones to deter similar illegal activities and protect the fragile ecosystem of the tiger reserve.
