Two poachers arrested in Odisha’s Similipal days after release of tigresses

The Forest Department officials on Wednesday arrested two poachers and seized five country-made guns from their possession in the Similipal Reserve Forest area in Odisha.

According to sources, the accused were roaming in the core area of Similipal forest, near Baripada, with firearms, reportedly intending to hunt wildlife when they were apprehended.

Incidentally, camera traps set in the area captured the poachers’ images and an idea of their movement inside the forest. Based on these captures, the Forest Department launched a targeted operation leading to their arrest.

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The accused were identified as Kiran Marandi and Karu Hansda, both residents of the Bangiriposi police station area.

Sources also mentioned that along with the five country-made guns, a partially assembled firearm, gunpowder, and other hunting materials were also seized from them.

The two were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act and have been remanded to court custody. Additionally, charges will be filed under the Arms Act for illegal possession of firearms, according to the Deputy Director of South Similipal.

The arrests come just days after two tigresses brought from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) were released into the core area of the Similipal Forest, in a bid to boost the big cat’s population and gene pool in the state.

A three-year-old tigress named Jeenat was released on November 24 right after another tigress, Jamuna, was let out of her soft enclosure on October 27.

ALSO READ: Tigress Zeenat Released in Similipal Core Area to Boost Odisha's Tiger Conservation

Meanwhile, the arrest of the poachers further signified the persistent threat to the delicate wildlife balance in Similipal. Fortunately, local villagers have taken active participation in helping the Forest Department nab poachers, after a major sensitisation program.