Forest Department officials arrested three poachers in Sirli village under the Komana range, Nuapada district.
The raid resulted in the seizure of a significant stockpile of explosives and hunting equipment allegedly used to trap and kill wild boars.
Acting on intelligence inputs, authorities uncovered six country-made bombs, 55 metal spikes, axes, and bird snares at the site. They also confiscated wild boar meat, reinforcing the suspicion of active poaching operations. These explosives posed a severe threat to both wildlife and human lives in the region.
The arrested individuals, identified as Antaram Majhi, Tejaraj Majhi, and Indramani Majhi, were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Explosives Act. Senior official Mohammad Mustafa confirmed the arrests, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement to safeguard local wildlife.
Forest officials stressed that such operations highlight the ongoing battle against poaching and the dangers posed by the use of illegal explosives. Authorities continue their efforts to curb such activities and ensure the protection of vulnerable species in the area.
