32 wild birds (dead) seized by Wildlife Crime Control Unit, Dimapur from different stalls along NH-29
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 21 (MExN): The Wildlife Crime Control Unit, Dimapur on October 19 during routine highway patrolling along NH-29, seized 32 numbers of wild birds (dead) from different roadside stalls between Medziphema Town and Pherima Village. However, the culprits fled on seeing the patrolling party, leaving behind the illegal wildlife items.
According to a press statement received from the Department of Forests, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife, the seized wildlife items includes 2 Red Jungle Fowl, 12 Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, 3 Red Vented Bulbul, 1 Blue Throated Barbet, 2 Myna, 1 Asian Pied Sterling, 1 Golden Fronted Leafbird and 10 Larks. All the seized wildlife items were disposed off by burning and burying in the presence of officials of the department at Forest Office Complex, Dimapur, the same day, the press statement informed.
The department lamented that even after extensive awareness and repeated warning to abstain from wildlife crime; certain individuals have been involving in these unlawful activities. This is a serious offense under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and arrested offenders can be penalized with fine up to Rs. 25,000 or imprisonment up to 7 years or both. It also reminded that hunting (killing, poisoning, capturing, snaring, coursing, trapping, driving, baiting, injuring, destroying and damaging or disturbing eggs or nests) of wildlife is prohibited under Section 9 of the said Act.
Additionally, as per State Govt. Notification CSO/1/GEN/2013 dated June 12, 2013 and No.DRD/NR/P-1/2002 dated Kohima June 18, 2013, the various assistance given to the villages under whose jurisdiction the wildlife offence has been detected, will be curtailed, the press statement pointed out.
In this connection, the Wildlife Warden, Dimapur has appealed to the public to refrain from the sell and/or purchase of illegal wildlife items in order to avoid any legal action. Further, the Wildlife Warden sought cooperation of the public to bring about conservation and protection of wildlife and to reduce wildlife related crime throughout the State.
