EMN
Dimapur, June 14
Personnel of Kohima Forest Range under Kohima Forest Division, during routine check of illegal trade of wild animals and birds, seized several scheduled animals along NH-29 near Medziphema on Friday. The seizure was made while these animals were being sold along the highway.
The seized items included 3-4 kgs of deer meat and 12 birds of which two were alive. The live birds, a green pigeon and an eagle, were handed over to wildlife personnel in Kohima. The other seized dead birds and deer meat were disposed/destroyed in presence of senior officers in the premises of the office of the Kohima Forest Range Officer, ACF I/c, Kohima Forest Range, Beizo Suokhrie, said in a release today,
The ACF lamented that despite all out efforts by departmental staff to control hunting and sale of wildlife, the offence continues unabated. “This merciless activity of our people does not only destroy God’s beautiful creation but also reflects our society in a very distasteful manner particularly to the outsiders who visit the State,” he said.
The ACF said departmental patrolling squads are already in place and added that with support of the administration and police personnel, the department is planning to intensify its checks/raids in the markets, roadsides, etc. to prevent sale of wild animals and birds. He also warned that strict punishments will be awarded to the offenders. Further, the department has once again appealed to all concerned and responsible citizens to refrain from hunting wildlife. Not only the hunters or the sellers but anyone found possessing such wild animals are liable for punishment, including seizure of transporting vehicles, it said.
The department also requested the customers/purchasers, mostly rich and educated people, not to encourage such activities by purchasing any wild animals. It reminded the general public that such offences are punishable with a fine upto Rs 25,000 or imprisonment of 3 to 7 years under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
