The Pune Forest Department on Tuesday received confidential information about a large number of unknown persons suspiciously roaming in Forest No. 137 of Mauje Hadsar to hunt wild animals. The staff of Forest Range Junnar conducted a raid at the location, and a total of 21 persons, including 15 from Mauje Surale, 4 from Mauje Hadsar, and 1 each from Mauje Tejur and Manganewadi (Khamgaon), have been booked under Sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Acting on the tip-off, forest guard Eknath Dhondu Bangar and two other guards reached the spot and confirmed the setup of multiple traditional traps, each measuring 20 feet in length and 6 feet in height.
Forest Range Officer Pradeep Chavan was alerted, and additional teams were deployed. The poachers, hailing from Surale, Hadsar, Tejur, and Manganewadi villages, were caught red-handed. The officers seized 21 traps and 10 two-wheelers used to transport them.
All 21 individuals were taken into custody and questioned, after which 17 of them confessed to the crime and were released on bail.
Chavan clarified, "Acts of driving wild animals away from their habitat, setting up a noose/sling for hunting them, or hunting them, etc., are violations of Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. For such violations, a maximum imprisonment of 7 years and a fine of up to Rs. 25,000/- has been provided. The said offence is non-bailable and cognizable. Therefore, strict action will be taken against those who hunt wild animals."
