Poacher nabbed inside Similipal Tiger reserve with illegal gun and hunted wildlife

Forest department officials have arrested a suspected poacher inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts to curb wildlife crime in protected areas.

The accused, a resident of the Kuliana area, was apprehended during a routine patrol on Tuesday evening in the Balidiha Beat under the Pithabata North Wildlife Range. According to STR Deputy Director Samrat Gowda, patrol staff were alerted after hearing a gunshot , followed by a suspicious light emanating from within the sanctuary.

A subsequent search led to the recovery of a country-made firearm , around 10 grams of gunpowder, a torch, and the carcass of an Indian hare. Several other items suspected to have been used in poaching were also seized.

Officials confirmed that the accused has been booked under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the country’s primary legislation for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants. The law prescribes stringent penalties , including imprisonment and fines , for offences such as hunting, possession of wildlife, and use of illegal weapons within protected areas.

Authorities said regular patrolling, intelligence gathering, and stricter enforcement under the Act have been intensified in recent years to deter poaching in ecologically sensitive zones like Similipal, a key tiger habitat. Forest officials also rely on surveillance measures and community awareness initiatives to prevent illegal activities.

The arrest underscores the continued vigilance of frontline forest staff and the importance of robust legal frameworks in safeguarding India’s biodiversity from poaching threats.