Berhampur: The Forest Department on Wednesday arrested a 35-year-old man after the carcasses of 33 migratory birds were seized from two gunny bags he was carrying near a water body under the Chilika Wildlife Division.
The accused has been identified as Pradeep Mallick of Bhusandapur. Officials said he was caught red-handed during a routine patrol, while another person involved in the alleged poaching managed to escape. A search operation is underway to trace the second accused.
According to the Chilika Wildlife Division, the seized carcasses belonged to three protected species: Northern Shoveller (9), Northern Pintail (23) and Pheasant-tailed Jacana (1). These species are listed under the Schedule categories of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Tissue samples of the dead birds were collected and sent for forensic analysis. After the post-mortem, the carcasses were buried.
Patrolling has been intensified across Chilika as lakhs of migratory birds have already arrived at the lake since mid-October, with more continuing to descend during the winter months. Spread over 1,165 sq km across Khurda, Ganjam, and Puri districts, Chilika is one of Asia’s largest wintering grounds for migratory birds.
To combat poaching, the Forest Department is conducting round-the-clock patrolling, gathering intelligence inputs, and deploying drones to monitor vulnerable areas. A total of 21 temporary anti-poaching camps have also been set up, with special focus on bird congregation zones such as Nalabana and Tangi ranges.
