"Poachers fined Rs 1.25 lakh"
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, December 10 2022:
DFO of Thoubal Forest Division Th Lokendro has said that the Government has collected a sum of Rs 1,25,000 from the five persons, including two Central security personnel, all from Lilong Chingkham who were arrested for poaching birds at Ikop Pat on December 4 under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 .
He also said that the Government has confiscated a car and guns used by them and declared State properties.
Th Lokendro made the remarks while attending a felicitation ceremony organised by Wildlife and Biodi- versity Conservation Committee (WBCC), Manipur at the office of Thoubal Forest Division to honour the Forest officials who nabbed the poachers.
During the ceremony, WBCC president Rabi Takhellambam presented simple gifts to each of the Forest officials who took part in the drive.
At the ceremony, Th Lokendro said that the two birds which were killed by the poachers were egrets (Urok) .
Saying that poaching wild birds is a punishable offence under Wildlife Protection Act, he added that the five poachers were released after collecting a fine amounting to Rs 1,25,000 from them.
The DFO went on to state that different varieties of wild birds have started seasonal migration and are roosting at many lakes of the State.
Appealing to the people not to lay bird traps or kill wild birds, he added that the Government will take actions against the defaulters.
Rabi Takhellambam said that the WBCC has been launching many drives and campaigns with the sole objective of protecting wildlife so as to maintain ecological balance.