Nuapada: Ina major success against wildlife poaching, officials of the Odisha Forest Department arrested six persons and seized two leopard skins along with two sambar antlers from them in Nuapada district.
The racket was busted after Forest department officials conducted raids since Tuesday to uncover the network criminals engaged in the illegal trade, smuggling, poaching, capture or collection of legally protected animals.
Acting on specific intelligence, teams from the Khariar Forest Division carried out a series of operations in western Odisha, officials said on Saturday.
The first raid took place on Tuesday evening at Saradhapur village under the Boden Range, where one leopard skin and two sambar antlers were recovered. Four persons, identified as Dinesh Majhi and Shukram Chinda of Saradhapur, Kuma Chandra Majhi of Kendubahara, and Madhusudan Majhi of Khairpada, were arrested during the operation.
In a follow-up raid on Wednesday at Patalgudkari village under the Nuapada Range, forest officials seized another leopard skin and arrested Mahesh Sahu and his son Gajanan Sahu for their involvement in illegal hunting and trade.
All 6 accused have been produced in court. Investigation is underway to dismantle the wider trafficking network, with officials reiterating their commitment to intensifying surveillance and enforcement against wildlife crimes in the region.
