Six Arrested for Alleged Blackbuck Poaching in Bidar
Officials seized two four-wheelers and a rifle allegedly used in the offence. A case has been registered, and the accused were produced before a court
Bidar: The Bidar Forest Department has arrested six persons in connection with the alleged poaching of a blackbuck in the Chondi-Mamadapur grassland, a known blackbuck habitat near Honnakeri Reserved Forest.
The incident occurred on August 17. Of the six accused, three were chased and caught by residents of Chondi Tanda and Mamadapur Tanda in Bidar taluk and handed over to the police. Subsequently, they were handed over to the Forest Department for registration of a case and further legal action.
The other three accused involved in the case fled the spot. The Forest Department formed a special search team and launched an operation to trace them.
A special team led by Assistant Conservator of Forests, Basavakalyan, Munir Ahmed, and comprising Shivakumar Rathod, RFO, Basavakalyan; Pavan Kumar Duke, RFO, Humnabad; and Shantakumar, DRFO, Bhalki, traced and arrested the three accused who had fled the scene.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Bidar Superintendent of Police Pradeep Gunti, with the assistance of the Kalaburagi Police, forest officials from the Kalaburagi division and Telangana Forest Department officials.
Officials seized two four-wheelers and a rifle allegedly used in the offence. A case has been registered, and the accused were produced before a court.
A preliminary investigation revealed that three of the accused are locals from Chincholi taluk of Kalaburagi district, while the other three are from Hyderabad in Telangana.
Forest officials have reportedly received information about some persons from Hyderabad possessing sophisticated long-range rifles and allegedly hunting wildlife.
Officials said the blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is a Schedule I protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Hunting or killing the animal is punishable under the Act.
Bidar Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumitkumar Subhashrao Patil said the department was taking the case seriously and would initiate stringent legal action against those involved in wildlife offences.
He also appreciated the residents of Chondi and Mamadapur tandas for their prompt action in catching three of the accused and handing them over to the police.
The department has appealed to the public to immediately inform forest officials about any wildlife poaching or other illegal activities involving wild animals.
