Bhubaneswar: Known as a Tough IFS Officer, Susanta Nanda, PCCF Wildlife is not in a mood to tollerate poaching in Odisha Forests.
Following two forest officials sustained bullet injuries after poachers opened fire on them during patrolling inside Kuldiha Sanctuary, the Wildlife Organization in Department of Forest & Environment headed by Shri Nanda has swung into action and so far arrested 9 poachers from Kuldiha.
During a joint combing operation conducted by police, STF and forest personnel last night, another six poachers along with arms were arrested, informed Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife Susanta Nanda today.
“Six more poachers apprehended with five guns & traps used for poaching with animal trophies from the periphery of Kuldiha Sanctuary. The drive continues. Salutations to Police, Forest & STF staff involved in the joint operation,” Shri Nanda wrote on social media site X.
Speaking to media persons, ACF, Balasore Wildlife Division, Diganta Sovan Chand informed that they have busted a country-made gun manufacturing unit and the person who was operating it was arrested.
The man was selling country-made guns and also giving the arms for rent to the poachers. “We are identifying all such persons who are dealing with arms in Kuldiha and arresting them,” the ACF said.
Yesterday, one person was arrested from the buffer area of Kuldiha Sanctuary by forest staff. Prior to that, on March 19 at about 2 AM, staff of the Kuldiha forest range under the Balasore division came across two poachers inside the Kuldiha sanctuary. Seeing the forest officials, the poachers have opened fire on them, in which two forest personnel were injured. However, the forest staff were able to nab the two poachers.
In the past four days, nine poachers along with arms were arrested from the Kuldiha area. . Chief Wildlife Warden, Shri Nanda had earlier appealed to the poachers to surrender arms otherwise face legal action.
The Forest Department has decided to continue the anti-poaching drive till the entire area was not made poacher-free.