Poacher held in Bhitarkanika – The Times of India
Kendrapada: Forest officials arrested a poacher on Friday night for setting traps to capture spotted deer in the mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika National Park. The accused, Babuli Jena (35) from Krushnanagar village, was caught at Dangamal. Officials seized two traps, a net, and sharp weapons from him.
“During interrogation, the accused confessed to setting up traps along with other poachers to kill spotted deer,” said Manas Kumar Das, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), Bhitarkanika. Jena has been booked under multiple sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Rajnagar, rejected his bail plea on Saturday. Forest officials are conducting raids to apprehend other suspects who fled the scene.
Over the past two decades, authorities have arrested around 460 poachers for killing around 250 spotted deer, birds, and ten crocodiles. However, the conviction rate remains concerningly low, with around 130 poaching cases still pending in court.
While two poachers were convicted for bird poaching four years ago, no convictions have been secured in deer and crocodile poaching cases. Rout attributes this to prolonged trial delays and inadequate case handling by forest officials and other agencies.
“During interrogation, the accused confessed to setting up traps along with other poachers to kill spotted deer,” said Manas Kumar Das, assistant conservator of forest (ACF), Bhitarkanika. Jena has been booked under multiple sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Rajnagar, rejected his bail plea on Saturday. Forest officials are conducting raids to apprehend other suspects who fled the scene.
Over the past two decades, authorities have arrested around 460 poachers for killing around 250 spotted deer, birds, and ten crocodiles. However, the conviction rate remains concerningly low, with around 130 poaching cases still pending in court.
While two poachers were convicted for bird poaching four years ago, no convictions have been secured in deer and crocodile poaching cases. Rout attributes this to prolonged trial delays and inadequate case handling by forest officials and other agencies.
