Man Arrested in Bahraich for Allegedly Hunting Peacocks and Peahens

A man was detained in the Ramgaon area on Tuesday for allegedly hunting a peacock and a peahen, according to an official. The arrest was carried out by a combined team from the forest department and police. Divisional Forest Officer Ajit Pratap Singh stated that they received information about the incident on Tuesday afternoon.

Upon receiving the tip-off, officers from the forest department, along with police personnel, went to Mukeria village in the Ramgaon police station area. There, they discovered Hafiz Ali, aged 60, with the carcasses of a peacock and a peahen in a sugarcane field. The authorities seized the dead birds and took Ali into custody.

Wildlife Protection Act Enforcement

Following interrogation and investigation, it was revealed that the birds were trapped using a net. The accused confessed to killing them with the intention of consuming them. However, the exact cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem examination. A panel of three veterinarians has been set up to conduct this examination on Wednesday.

Ajit Pratap Singh mentioned that Hafiz Ali has been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 for hunting birds. The national bird, the peacock, is listed under Schedule-1 as highly protected wildlife. This category includes animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, and wolves.

Legal Proceedings

The SHO of Ramgaon police station, Alok Singh, confirmed that Hafiz Ali will be presented in court on Wednesday morning. The case against him highlights the severe penalties associated with hunting animals listed under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Act.

The DFO emphasised that since peacocks are in Schedule-1, hunting them carries the highest punishment under the Wildlife Act compared to other wildlife species. This reflects the importance placed on protecting these creatures.

The incident underscores ongoing efforts to enforce wildlife protection laws and safeguard endangered species. Authorities remain vigilant in their duty to prevent illegal hunting activities and ensure compliance with conservation regulations.