Angul: Meat of wild animals like boars and barking deer are being sold in the open in Angul town in violation of norms. The meat is made available by the sellers at a phone call without any fear of legal action, a report said Thursday.
Poachers after hunting these animals in the forests are selling the meat in the town to earn a quick buck. The poachers keeping the fascination of the people for the meat of wild animals in mind are serving the product to them wrapped in leaves and polythene.
However, the police and the forest officials are clueless about such illegal sale of wild animal meat in the town.
The matter came to the fore when some youths intercepted a poacher Bhajaman Dhal at Sikhayakpada Square when he was returning home after selling the meat. Dhal of Baramucha village in Chhendipada had come to the town to sell wild animal meat weighing 20 kg.
Dhal met the youths and enquired from them if they would like to take meat of barking deer. He admitted to poaching wild boars and barking deer from Chhendipada jungle to sell the meat in the town. He also admitted that he has been delivering the meat at the homes of some selected people in the town for the last several years.
A person simply places the order by making a phone call and the meat is delivered to him at the doorstep or at a designated place in the town. However, a person has to give some extra bucks to get the meat of his desired animal.
While wild boar meat is available at Rs 150/kg, the meat of barking deer ranges between Rs 200-250 per kg, it was learnt. Moreover, the person placing order for wild animal meat has to give some extra money towards the travel expenses of the poacher or his associate delivering the meat.
PNN