Malkangiri: A Snake Helpline member has written to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) and the Chief Wildlife Warden of Odisha alleging the hunting of wildlife and uploading of videos on YouTube by one Rajesh Mandal of Malkangiri district.
Subhendu Mallik, a former Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khordha, has written the letter and demanded action against Mandal, referred to as the 'Mowgli of Malkangiri', after he posted videos of hunting wild chicken, i.e. Jungle fowl which is a protected bird species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Jungle chicken or Jungle fowl is a Schedule IV bird under WL(P)A.
In another video he posted with a caption “Chameleon hunt” which contradicts the WL(P)A, because Hunting of any wildlife is prohibited under WL(P)A, Mallick said.
A story on the youth was published in an Odia daily today in which he was described as the Bear Grylls of Odisha. Grylls is the host of popular show Man vs. Wild.
"It is no harm on the part of Mr. Rajesh Mandal to copy Bear Grylls or be famous. But he certainly cannot hunt wildlife in India," Mallik wrote.
"Therefore, I request your good office to take necessary action as deemed proper against Mr. Rajesh Mandal. The camera crew of Rajesh Mandal are also liable for abetment of the crime under Section 52 (Attempts & abetment) of WL(P)A," Mallick added.
Notably, Mandal, who is an M.Tech degree holder from NIT Bhopal, left his lucrative job to follow his passion for wildlife.
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