In another breakthrough, the five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) which was formed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, has arrested one more accused in connection with Tiger poaching case on Tuesday. Keeping the seriousness of the case in mind, the SIT is monitoring the investigation and providing necessary co-ordination and support to the Forest Department in Chandrapur. While investigating the case, the SIT first summoned the accused named Sonu Singh, belonging to a tribal community from Hoshiyarpur, Punjab and subsequently arrested him in this poaching case. He was produced in the court of JMFC Rajura and sent to forest custody remand (FCR) till February 7.

 

With the arrest of Sonu, the total 8 accused, namely Ajeet Siyalal Pardhi, Injection, Reema, Rabina, Seva, Rajkumari, Lalneisung, Sonu Singh were arrested in this connection so far. All the accused have been sent to FCR till February 7 for questioning in the poaching case. The SIT investigation is being done to establish the details of tiger poaching and any links of the gang with others, informed a senior officer. Further investigations are underway under the guidance and directions of Vivek Khandekar, Chief Wildlife Warden, Maharashtra State, Dr Jitendra Ramgaokar, CCF Chandrapur and by the SIT Chandrapur including Swetha Boddu, DCF, Central Chanda; Pawan Kumar Jong, Sub DFO, Rajura; Sachin Shinde, DFO, TATR; Bapu Yele, DFO, SFD; Aadesh Shendge, ACF (Wildlife); Venu Gopal, Advocate; Mahesh Gaikwad, ACF, Bramhapuri; Suresh Yelkewad, RFO, Rajura; Arun Gond, RFO, Moharli; Akash Sarda; and Shahbaaz Sheikh. 

 

 

 

Akola forest division apprehended four accused for smuggling a pangolin and body parts of wild animals on Monday. On the basis of a tip-off, a forest team approached the accused as buyer. After some negotiation with the accused, the team arrested the accused named Kisanrao Bajeraoji Gaikwad (48), a resident of Pimpalkhuta village of Morshi taluka; Keshav Madhan Bhivgade (38), a resident of Ashti, Mohan Pundalikrao Manohare (40), a resident of Tumani village; and Sunil Kailash Pawar (29), a resident of Wagholi of Amravati. The team also seized one pangolin (13 kg) and four mobile phones from them. The arrest took place at Arvi village in Wardha district on Monday. The operation took place under the supervision of Jayoti Banerjee, CCF, Amravati and Dr Kumarswami S R, DCF, Akola. S K Khune, ACF, Akola; V R Thorat, RFO, Akola; S D Gawhane, RFO, Patur; A V Sable, Forest Guard; S G Kate; Mangesh Walke; Anil Chaudhari; Akshay Khandare; Tushar Aware and Anil Jadhav participated in the operation. 

 

 

A one-year-old female leopard was caught in a trap laid for a wild boar in an agriculture field in Balapur near Hingna Road, Akola on Saturday. A villager named Yogeshwar Dhanokar informed the Forest Department about the leopard which was caught in the trap and wire snare. After getting the information, a forest team rushed to the spot and tried to rescue the leopard with the help of nets.

 

However, the senior officials decided to rescue the leopard by tranquillising it. A Quick Response Team (QRT) including veterinarians rescued the leopard and shifted it to Akola for its treatment. A case has been registered against unidentified persons and the investigation has initiated in this regard. A forest team revisited the spot and searched for more traps in the area but no other trap was found there. The land owner where the trap was laid, had no information about the illegal activity. In a latest development, two teams has been formed which are now searching for more such traps in agriculture lands in Balapur area.