Nuapada: The Odisha Vigilance’s forest wing seized a leopard skin and arrested an alleged hunter in Udyanbandh Forest Range under Khariar Forest Division in Nuapada district Tuesday.
The accused, identified as Inyat Alli, a resident of Kumuntimunda village under Kumna police station, was arrested for allegedly violating Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The offence is punishable under Section 51 of the Act.
The seized skin will be sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, for biological examination. Further investigation is underway, officials said.
Notably, leopards are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which provides the highest level of protection to the species.
Wildlife activists have raised concern over leopard poaching in Odisha, purporting that the animals are increasingly being targeted by organised poaching networks. They said leopard skins are in demand in illegal international markets, making the species vulnerable to poaching.
