Middleman held with Leopard nails and claw in Odisha

By Express News Service

SAMBALPUR:  Forest officers of Hirakud Wildlife Division on Wednesday arrested a person for his involvement in unlawful wildlife commerce. Four nails and claw of a leopard, pores and skin and hair of untamed canine in addition to decoration made up of pangolin scales have been seized from his possession. 

The accused was recognized as Akash Agrawal (37) of Sambalpur. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Anshu Pragyan Das stated performing on a tip off, forest officers with assist of district police performed a raid and nabbed the accused from Sambalpur. Akash is a intermediary concerned in procurement and sale of wildlife articles. The accused was apprehended when he was engaged in making a deal for promoting the gadgets. 

The DFO additional stated Akash had quoted a worth of Rs 5,000 for every leopard nail claiming it to that of a tiger. The intermediary bought the nails to gullible individuals who believed that tiger nails deliver prosperity and good luck to the one that wears them as a hoop or necklace. Many such middlemen are concerned in procuring wildlife articles from folks dwelling in and round Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, she knowledgeable.

The informer who offered the tip off in regards to the intermediary has been rewarded by Hirakud Wildlife Division. The accused was produced in court docket on Thursday. Further investigation and efforts to nab others concerned within the unlawful commerce are on.

Leopards, wild canines, and pangolins are endangered species protected below Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act.  Forest officers stated digicam traps have been laid masking the whole space of the sanctuary. Besides, informer community in and round Debrigarh sanctuary has been strengthened and foot patrolling elevated to scale back the variety of wildlife offences. These measures may even assist in rising prey density of the panorama.