Wildlife carcasses at Hapoli, Lower Subansiri district

Ziro DFO Abhinav Kumar informed that carcasses of red giant flying squirrels, khalij pheasants and mountain imperial pigeons were recovered by the patrolling team of the Hapoli forest range, headed by Range Forest Officer Oyang Dusu from the market area of Hapoli town in Lower Subansiri district by forest officials.

Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act lists red giant flying squirrel and khalij pheasants in it.

It was reported by Kumar that on December 14, a bag was unloaded by an unknown vehicle on the road and it fled away when the uniformed forest patrolling team approached the vehicle on suspicion. The carcasses were found inside the bag, the DFO said.

Informing that an offence report has been registered under the relevant

Under sections of Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), a report has been filed and investigation is being carried to identify the vehicle and person involved in the illegal activity, said Kumar.

The animal carcasses have been disposed off as per the provisions of the WPA, he said.

During the winter period, wildlife crime and hunting in the forest increases due to visit of migratory birds, migration of animals to low altitude areas and demand of wildlife meat during the festive seasons, said the DFO.

He said, “To curb this, the Hapoli forest division has intensified patrolling in forests, market areas and identified hotspots of wildlife trade”.

The DFO informed that a notification was issued on 15 August this year by the Lower Subansiri district administration to bring air guns with bore diameter exceeding 0.177” under the licensing regime as per Arms Rules, 2016.

“Efforts are being made to restore the wild habitats of birds and animals to increase their population and species diversity in the region,” Kumar added.