Man sent to jail for poaching inside Bhitarkanika

Kendrapara, Aug 24 (UNI) A local court today sent one Haripada Mandal, arrested on charge of poaching inside Bhitarkanika National Park, to jail after rejecting his bail plea.

The forest officials produced Mandal before the court under section 27 and 11 of the Wild life Protection Act for poaching inside the sanctuary.

Rajnagar Mangrove Forest and Wildlife division Divisional Forest Officer A K Jena said Mandal, a resident of Ramnagar village under Mahakalpada police station, was found moving suspiciously inside the National Park last evening.

During interrogation he confessed that he had entered the forest to trap an antelope but caught a spotted deer by spreading a nylon net. Later, he sold the venison.

But forest officials suspected that Mandal might have killed at least a couple of spotted deer during the last three days.

The DFO said Mandal was earlier booked under wildlife Protection Act and several wildlife crime cases were pending against him.

UNI