Carcasses of Kharsa found at Loktak periphery
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 16 2023:
Poaching continues unabated in Jawa Lamjao located to the north of the Loktak lake, as evidenced by the recent discovery of two Kharsa carcasses.
Upon receiving a specific input, a team led by Range Officer Ratankumar under the supervision of Divisional Forest Officer, Bishnupur, Dr Rebecca Chanu and accompanied by the staff of Bishnupur Forest Division and volunteers of Wildlife Explorers Manipur, Unique Wildlife Protection Committee and Green Brigade Manipur carried out an inspection which led to the discovery of the carcass of a female hog deer.
The Kharsa had a bullet wound on the left side of its belly and is believed to have wandered around for a day or two before succumbing to its injuries and dying on the spot.
In this regard, fish farmers from the surrounding areas have denied hearing any gunshots but expressed suspicion that herds of Kharsa were being chased around with the use of hunting dogs.
The team also found the dead body of a male hog deer not too far from the area with the help of a drone camera.
As the carcass was in an advanced stage of decomposition, the cause of its death could not be ascertained.
However, it is also believed to have escaped the clutches of poachers and died after being injured in the process.
It may be noted that volunteers of Unique Wildlife Protection Committee and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau had also rescued a wounded male hog deer which had escaped from poachers on the first day of Yaoshang.
Reportedly, there have also been cases of butchering of hog deer for its meat this year.
Despite being protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the hog deer continues to be hunted by poachers without any inhibition.
This endangered species faces the risk of disappearing from the State entirely if stringent action is not taken up.