Dhenkanal, Sept. 30 (UDN): Forest officials have arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly setting up an illegal electric trap to catch wild animals in the Hindol forest area of Odisha’s Dhenkanal district.
The accused, identified as Kalia Naik of Kantamila village under Hindol tehsil, was apprehended during a routine forest patrol, officials said.
According to the Dhenkanal Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the forest team found Naik allegedly involved in setting up an electric hooking arrangement near a water body. The setup was suspected to have been intended for trapping wild animals.
Forest personnel subsequently seized the electrical materials allegedly used for the illegal arrangement from the spot.
Officials said legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused under relevant provisions of wildlife and forest laws.
The Forest Department has stepped up vigilance in forest areas to curb activities that pose a threat to wildlife. Officials reiterated that illegal electric hooking and other methods used to trap or kill wild animals would invite strict legal action.
Forest teams are continuing patrols and surveillance in vulnerable areas of the division to prevent wildlife-related offences and protect animals in their natural habitat.