Baripada: Forest officials have arrested a poacher inside the Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj after he was caught with a handmade gun, ammunition, and a dead Indian Hare during a night patrol.
Acting on specific intelligence, a patrolling team from the Pithabata North Wildlife Range, led by the Range Officer, was conducting routine checks under Balidiha Beat on April 14. In evening, the team heard a gunshot and spotted a suspicious light source deep inside the sanctuary area.
During the subsequent search, officials seized one handmade gun, 14 cycle balls, 12 lead balls, approximately 5 grams of black gunpowder, 5 grams of white gunpowder, a yellow plastic bag, an orange-coloured torch (Andslite), and one dead Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) weighing about 1.5 kg from the possession of the accused.
The arrested person has been identified as Bhagabat Marndi alias Bhukla, a resident of Asanbani village under Kuliana Police Station in Mayurbhanj district.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused violated multiple provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — including Sections 2(16) (hunting), 9 (prohibition of hunting), 27 (restriction on entry into sanctuary), 29, 31 (entry with weapon), 32, and 52. The offences are punishable under Section 51 of the Act (as amended up to 2022).
The accused has been forwarded to the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Baripada, for judicial remand. Further investigation is underway.
The forest officials have urged locals to cooperate in preserving the sanctuary’s biodiversity.
