By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Wildlife Trust of India and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, New Delhi, have taken strong note of the recent detection of poaching of endangered species of animals in the State and sought a report from the Meghalaya forest officials on the action taken in this regard.
The forest staff had apprehended as many as 25 poachers on April 24 last and seized the body parts of endangered deer among others from Mawkarah village in West Khasi Hills district.
The seized items included arms, dried venison, three hides of barking deer (Muntiacus Muntjak) and the head of a fully grown female Sambar (Cervus Unicolor). The poachers were held while they were returning in two vehicles.
The punishment for poaching endangered species of animals is severe.
A forest official said that the Centre had sought report on actions taken by the forest department on the matter.
“The department has sent the report,” the official added.
When contacted, DFO Wildlife Division, Shillong, P S Nongbri said that the incident of poaching involving 25 persons is a cause of concern.
The poachers had claimed that they were ignorant of the law.
“Their claim that they are not aware of the laws have no basis , I am sure that they are intentionally doing it, as there are many cases in the recent past involving many poachers from the same village (Krang) which are still pending in the court”, Nongbri said.
According to the official, the poachers thought that they can easily get away without any conviction and get back their seized weapons by a mere court order.