Poachers nabbed, animals rescued
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 15 2014:
Four poachers along with large number of birds were apprehended yesterday at Uchekon area in Imphal east district, following a raid by a team of People for Animals (PFA) after getting information regarding poaching activities in the area.
According to a release of PFA Thoubal, the arrested poachers identified as Khongbantabam Brojen(45) S/o (L) Kh.
Mani of Uchekon Loumanbi Mapan, Phuja Tomba (22) S/o Ph.
Tekey of Lilong Turel Ahanbi, Haoreibei Alimuddin(30) S/o H.Sabuddin also of Lilong Turel ahanbi and Nepram Brogendro (40) S/o N.Kumar of Bashikhong Torban were handed over to Singjamei Police station.
27 spotted doves listed in schedule IV of WLPA including four dead, one Pied Myna and one large bird net were recovered from the poachers, informed PFA, saying that the injured birds are now being provided medical aid at its shelter.
The poachers were compounded a sum of Rs.5000 each by DFO Central forest Division today.
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Meanwhile, People for Animals, Thoubal assured support to the JAC formed in connection with cutting down of trees at Mahabali sacred grove.
It termed the cutting down of trees from Mongba Hanba forest commonly known as Mahabali sacred grove as one of the lowest acts which an insane could do.
While people have started feeling concern for environment, forest or wildlife, cutting down of trees from a protected forest area is a heinous crime which should never be forgiven, the PFA asserted in its release, adding that as per the Supreme Court order dated 12th December 1996 in the writ petition (civil) No.202 of 1995, the area is forest land with a unique wildlife habitat for various wild animals including scheduled animals like Rhus macaque.
Prior approval of the government of India is mandatory before taking up any activity at such places, it continued.
Constructing a diversion bridge to minimize people's disadvantages is very much reasonable, but not by sacrificing a sacred grove, the PFA said, while calling upon the Government to punish the culprits.
On the other hand, two Eastern Grass owls were rescued by PFA.
One Maibam Zoology Meitei of Bengi Awang Leikai found one at his paddy field today morning, while another was found by Oinam Babishow of Yairipok Laimanai from his kitchen garden, PFA said.