Wildlife Lover Of Odisha’s Malkangiri Accused Of Hunting Wild Animals

Bhubaneswar: A Snake Helpline member has sought action against the ‘wildlife lover’ of Malkangiri district for hunting wild animals and uploading its video on YouTube.

Subhendu Mallik, a former Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khordha, has written the letter to Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Odisha demanded action against Rajesh Mandal, referred to as the ‘Mowgli of Malkangiri’, after the latter posted videos of hunting jungle fowl and chameleon.

Mallik pointed out that jungle fowl is a protected bird species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is a Schedule IV bird under WL(P)A. In another video Rajesh posted with a caption “Chameleon hunt” which contradicts the WL(P)A, because Hunting of any wildlife is prohibited under WL(P)A, Mallick said.

Stating that there is no harm on being a wildlife lover, but one cannot kill them for fame and glory in India, Mallik said.

“I request your good office to take necessary action as deemed proper against Rajesh Mandal. The camera crew of Rajesh are also liable for abetment of the crime under Section 52 (Attempts & abetment) of WL(P)A,” Mallick said.

Rajesh, who is an MTech pass-out from NIT Bhopal, reportedly left his job to follow his passion for wildlife.