India: Kalmeshwar forestmen arrested two accused for carrying 2.50 kg flesh of wild boar, one dead Barnowls Tytonknae and one monitor lizard below the seats of an autorickshaw and seized the auto and materials used for the purpose on Monday. On a tip-off that one autorickshaw was going by carrying animals from Ghorad diversion on Katol road, Ms A R Naukarkar, Range Forest Officer, Kalmeshwar, S F Fulzele, Round Officer and staff laid a trap at the road.

They checked the auto rickshaw bearing no: MH 40 - 2010 and found three plastic bags with flesh of wild boar, Barn owls Tytonknae beneath rare seat and one monitor lizard at the driver's seat..They arrested Roshan Ramrao Ganvir (43) and Golu Netram Shahu (25), both working at a chicken centre, Chinchbhuvan, Wardha Road, Nagpur, and seized materials. Later, forestmen produced both the accused before Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kalmeshwar, who granted them Forest Custody Remand till July 23.

They registered an offence under relevant sections of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 as the case falls in the category of Schedule I. Prajyot Dewba Palve, Roudn officer, is conducting further investigation under the guidance of Dr Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Conservator of Forest. S F Fulzele,V N Kolhe, both Round Officers, D L Kharbade, R Dhurve, Forest Guards, B S Borkar, R N mohabe and Shravan Nagpure conducted the raid. The offence calls for three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000.

(Source: The Hitavada)