12 Poachers Arrested in Gadchiroli Wildlife Patrol A forest department team in Gadchiroli conducted a jungle patrol in the Alapalli forest range on Sunday evening and detained 12 individuals suspected of poaching. The operation, which followed a tip-off about a group hiding in the forest for illegal hunting activities, resulted in the immediate arrest of all 12 alleged poachers. During the raid, authorities recovered a variety of wildlife body parts, including four Indian giant squirrels, one flying squirrel, one florican, and an owl, along with equipment used for poaching. The arrested individuals are now facing charges under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These legal provisions carry severe penalties for wildlife crimes, including imprisonment and fines. The forest department’s action underscores the ongoing efforts to combat poaching in the region, which has been a persistent issue despite conservation initiatives. The recovery of the wildlife specimens highlights the scale of the illegal activity in the area. The Indian giant squirrel, a critically endangered species, and the florican, a vulnerable bird, are particularly at risk due to habitat loss and poaching. The seizure of these animals and the associated tools used for hunting indicates a coordinated effort by the poachers, which has now been disrupted by the forest team’s intervention. The incident also reflects the challenges faced by conservationists in protecting biodiversity in remote forest areas.#gadchiroli #wildlife_protection_act #alapalli_forest_range #indian_forest_act #indian_giant_squirrel
