Big success for forest department, inter-state pangolin smuggling gang caught: one live pangolin recovered

Raipur : The Forest Department has achieved great success against wildlife trafficking. A live pangolin has been recovered in (Salkhapari) while busting an inter-state pangolin smuggling ring.

This action was taken under the guidance of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Arun Pandey, Chief Forest Conservator and Field Director Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve Raipur, Smt. Satovisha Samajdar and Deputy Director Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve Gariaband Varun Jain as per the instructions of Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap. Based on information received from Wildlife Justice Commission India, the anti-poaching team of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and the joint team of Navrangpur Forest Division of Odisha conducted this campaign.

On December 7, two suspicious persons were caught by cordoning off between Dhorra and Simligodra near Umerkot. During the search, a live pangolin was recovered from them, which was about 40 inches in length and weighed 9 kg. The arrested accused have been identified as Gopal (42 years, resident of Simligodra, Odisha) and Manoj (30 years, resident of Malkiguda, Odisha). Odisha Forest Department seized pangolin and a motorcycle (scooty) used in smuggling and prepared a seizure document. Forest offenses have been registered against both the accused under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and they have been arrested.

The accused have been presented in Umerkot Court. Also, the search for other people associated with this smuggling network is going on. In this successful action, Gariaband Police Cyber ​​Cell, Anti-Poaching Team of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Justice Commission India and staff of Navrangpur (Odisha) Forest Division played an important role.