Baripada: Forest officials from the Pithabata North Wildlife Range in Similipal apprehended a man on Tuesday for deliberately starting a fire in the Nedam Forest area of Mayurbhanj district.
Around 5:30 PM, while conducting routine patrolling and monitoring forest fire risks, the wildlife team spotted three miscreants actively setting fire to the forest vegetation. As the offenders attempted to flee, the Forester and Protection Assistants pursued them on foot and successfully captured one individual.
The arrested person was identified as Duryodhan Hansdah, 56 years old, son of Late Chama Hansdah, resident of Bad Nedam village, PO Sorisapal, PS Bangriposi, Mayurbhanj district. A large matchbox used to ignite the fire was recovered from his possession.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the act violated key provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended up to 2022), specifically Sections 27 (restriction on entry into sanctuary), 29 (prohibition of destruction without permit), 30 (causing fire prohibited), 31 (prohibition of entry with weapons), and 32 (ban on use of injurious substances). These offences are punishable under Section 51 of the Act.
The accused has been produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Baripada for remand into judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to trace the other two fleeing suspects and determine the motive behind the intentional blaze, which poses serious threats to biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and ecological balance in the protected forest zone.
