Forester Shot Dead By Poachers In Odisha’s Similipal: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Says Accused Identified, 1 Held

Bhubaneswar: Voicing concern over the killing of a forester in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday said one person has been held in connection with the incident.

“The accused have been identified and one of them has been taken into custody. A country-made gun has also been seized,” the Minister said in a tweet.

Stringent action under the Wildlife Protection Act and IPC will be ensured by the enforcing agencies.

A forester, identified as Mati Hansda, was allegedly shot dead by poachers during patrolling in the STR, nearly a month after the killing of a forest guard in the sanctuary.

“I am deeply saddened at the loss of our fallen warrior in the line of duty. We salute his sacrifice and extend our heartfelt condolences,” Yadav said in another tweet.

He said MOEFCC has already taken cognisance of the matter and a team of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is being sent to support the state machinery.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan killing of another forest official by poachers in Similipal Tiger Reserve is a matter of great concern for every wildlife enthusiast and conservationist. Losing determined officers like Mati Hansda who gave his all to protect wildlife is always disheartening, he said.

This is second such incident in about a month’s time following the killing of forest guard Bimal Kumar Jena and such brazenness by poachers and anti-social elements is a worrisome trend, he said.

Neither wildlife is safe in Odisha’s reserves nor the personnel protecting them, said Dharmendra, seeking stringent action on all fronts and effective enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act  to deter poachers and the emboldened spirits of organised poaching rackets.

Sources said the incident occurred when a forest department team was carrying out patrolling inside Similipal Sanctuary at Gamuchajharan. During the operation, an exchange of fire broke out between the team members and a group of poachers on late on Friday night.

Earlier last month, 35-year-old forest guard Bimal Kumar Jena was shot dead by a group of poachers in the Similipal forest.