Gajapati: The forest department seized more than 20 turtles while they were allegedly being smuggled from the Paralakhemundi District Fisheries office in Odisha’s Gajapati on Sunday night.
According to sources, locals suspected something fishy when they saw a person coming out of the district fishery office. They intercepted him and found that he was carrying turtles.
They immediately informed the forest department. However, the man managed to escape leaving the turtles on the spot.
On getting the information, Parlakhemundi Ranger D.V. Sharma along with his team arrived at the spot and seized over 20 turtles along with a vehicle. The person who was carrying the turtles is said to be an employee of the Paralakhemundi District Fisheries office.
Meanwhile, locals alleged that the smuggling of turtles from the district fishery office is a regular affair. They demanded stringent action against the people involved.
“The recovered tortoises will be released in Ram Sagar. We will launch an investigation and appropriate legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” Sharma told local media.
