By Biswanath Dash
BHUBANESWAR: On the basis of reliable information, a team of STF conducted raid with thehelp of Kalahandi Forest Officials on 21.05.2022 evening near village Karni Khunti in between Bhawanipatna-Madanpur Raod PS. Narla Dist. Kalahandi regarding dealing/possession of wildlife products by wildlife criminals, as a result of which one wildlife criminal namely Jitendra Kumar S/o. Aibanta Kumar of Tagarla under Kesinga of Kalahandi district was apprehended.
During search one Live Pangolin weighing 13 kg 330 gm and other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession. The accused person could not produce any authority in support of possession of possession of such live Pangolin, for which he has been detained and handed over to M Rampur Forest Officials under Kalahandi Forest Division for necessary legal action at their end. The Live Pangolin also handed over to DFO Kalahandi for safe custody. Enquiry is going on.
The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater and bajrakapta ‘ବଜ୍ରକାପ୍ତା’ in Odia is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal. It is a schedule-I protected animal under Wild Life Protection act, 1972. Schedule I provides absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed for the highest penalties.Special drive against the wildlife criminals/poachers is continuing.
Since 2020, STF has seized as many as 28 Nos. of leopard skin, 24 Nos. of elephant task, 7 Nos. of deer skins, 14 Nos. of live pangolin, 30 kg 400 gm of pangolin scales, 2 Nos. of leopard teeth, 29 Nos. of leopard claws, 46 Nos. of live wild parrot with arrest of 69 Nos. of wildlife criminals.
