Balasore, July 2 (UDN): In a major anti-poaching operation, the Udaypur Forest Division conducted a late-night raid in the Kirtania sea area under Bhograi block and rescued 297 live birds, recovered 113 dead birds, and seized a motorised boat used for illegal hunting activities.
During the operation, forest officials arrested a suspected poacher identified as Kalicharan Mandal of Chaumukh in Baliapal. The accused was taken into custody on the spot.
According to the Forest Department, the accused and his associates were allegedly involved in the illegal hunting of migratory and other birds in the coastal region. They reportedly crossed the Subarnarekha estuary around 3 a.m. daily to reach the Kirtania sea coast for poaching activities.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a special team led by Jaleswar In-charge Ranger Sanjay Kumar Mohanty carried out surveillance in the sea area from late night hours and intercepted the poachers around 4 a.m., successfully executing the operation.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the birds were being regularly hunted and allegedly sold in Chaumukh and nearby areas of Baliapal. Authorities have launched a detailed probe to identify other members involved in the poaching network.
The Forest Department has intensified surveillance in the coastal belt to curb illegal bird hunting and protect migratory wildlife in the region.
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