(IN): Stringent laws no bar for poachers

May 16, 2007

Stringent laws no bar for poachers

Sampad Mahapatra

Friday, May 11, 2007 (Baripada)

Four poachers were caught red-handed inside the Simlipal Tiger Reserve

area in Orissa on March 18 this year.

The forest officials seized a gun, meat and heads of a mouse deer and

a barking deer from their possession.

''At the spot, we seized a single barrel gun, cartridges, torch light,

animal meat and heads. They were charged under penal section 51 Para

2, which is a non-bailable offence and I have mentioned it in the case

records,'' said N K Biswal, Range Officer, Katipada.

But shockingly, Bhanu Bhanjdeo, a known poacher, and his three

assistants were let off on bail in the next two weeks - all because

the evidence presented before the court was faulty.

''The accused persons were not specifically charged under a particular

offence, but were charged as a group. The negligence in the

investigation in the preliminary stage could not satisfy the

honourable court,'' said Mahadev Das, Public Prosecutor, Udala.

Severe lapses

Even the vet, who was asked to conduct a post mortem of the seized

meat, says the material given to him was not identifiable.

''The quantity of flesh was too little for proper identification. Even

the animal head they gave me was charred beyond recognition,'' said

Sarat K Patra, Vet Officer, Udala.

The lapses in both investigation and prosecution are too glaring to be

overlooked. But strangely, the head of the forest division is yet to

find out what went wrong and at which level.

''They should not have got bail. Probably there were some lacunae in

investigation. But I have not inquired into it,'' said S Marandi, DFO,

Baripada.

This case is among hundreds of other cases where despite damning

evidence, poachers have been let off so easily.

What use are wildlife laws, however stringent they may be, if those

responsible for its enforcement turn out to be poaching-friendly?

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