Arunachal Forest Department Swings into Action, Sambar Deer Hunters at Roing Likely to be Arrested

Pasighat, September 2, 2019:

Taking a prompt action against the killing and hunting of a Sambar deer which was seen being carried on the back of an Elephant near Bomjir Bridge, some 12 kms from Roing at district headquarters of Lower Dibang Valley on Saturday last, the Arunachal Pradesh forest officials swung into action on Tuesday after the incident came to light.

The Arunachal Pradesh Government has directed the Divisional Forest Officer, Roing, to book the offenders and take necessary action under Wildlife Protect Act, 1972.

In connection with the incident, the Dy. Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Itanagar under Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Wildlife & Biodiversity cum Chief Wildlife Warden, Itanagar have directed the DFO Roing to conduct an enquiry vide a letter No. CWL/D/21 (92)/2011-12/Pt./1571 dated 1^st October 2019.

In the letter, the DCF pointed out failure on the part of Range Forest Officer and field staff of Dambuk Range occurred there in checking and controlling such hunting, and have directed the official concern to furnish the action taken within 48 hours.

The wildlife department has viewed the offence seriously and has directed the DFO Roing to identify the offenders and book them under relevant provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

When contacted, DFO Roing, Aduk Paron couldn’t be reached for his official comment on the progress of the hunting case, which occurred under his jurisdiction and division.

However, DCF Wildlife, Umesh Kumar said that, the official concerns of Roing Forest Division are on the job and opined that the offenders will be identified and arrested soon. The official and field staff concern of Dambuk Forest Range under Roing Forest Division are also likely to face strict brunt of the higher office for their alleged failure in restricting open hunting in their jurisdiction.

It is worth referring here that, two persons were caught on camera carrying a hunted Sambar deer on the back of a domesticated elephant near Bomjir Bridge, some 12 kms from Roing, the district HQ of Lower Dibang valley.

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