Forest Department has arrested two men for poisoning and hunting a spotted deer (chital) in the restricted core forest area of Sarhi Range in Kanha Tiger Reserve. According to forest officials, during a routine patrol in the Koyalabhatha core forest area of Khatola Beat, Bhilwani Circle, forest staff apprehended a suspicious person identified as Kondasingh Parte (37), son of Birsingh Parte, a resident of Ajaynagar forest village. During a search, approximately 2 kg of roasted wildlife meat was recovered from his possession.

 

During questioning, he confessed to hunting a spotted deer by using poison along with his associate, Barelal Dhurve (57), son of Birjhu Dhurve. Following further investigation, the second accused was also arrested. Based on the disclosures made by the accused, forest officials recovered and seized several remains of the hunted deer from the crime scene in Compartment No. 675(66) of Jamuntola Beat. The seized items included skin with hair, three legs with hooves, two pieces of jaws with teeth and a packet containing leftover poison. A forest offence case has been registered against both accused under various provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022. The accused were produced before the competent court and subsequently sent to Mandla District Jail.