Bid intensified to nab Burmese poachers

Port Blair, May 1: The Andaman Forest Department along with Coast Guard personnel and Police officials have launched a search operation to flush out Burmese poachers from Out Ram Island, sources said here today.

The team, however, was not able to nab the poachers, who were reportedly camping in the island for a long time but have recovered dried sea cucumbers, sea shells and a Burmese engine dinghy alongwith diving equipment used for poaching activities, Divisional Forest Officer Saurbh Kumar told reporters here.

All these items have been seized under Wild Life Protection Act 1972 and are kept in the custody of Havelock Range Forest Office and an investigation is on in this regard, Mr Kumar said.

He also said Out Ram Island is a part of the Rani Jhansi Marine National Park and according to Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, no person is allowed to enter, destroy, exploit or remove any Wildlife including forest produce.

Any person violating the act is liable for more than three years of imprisonment and might extend to seven years with fine of not less than Rs 10000, he added.

Mr Kumar also informed that the search is on to nab the fleeing Burmese poachers, who often raid the island by entering it from Northern Region to fish out valuable marine produces here.

UNI