Balasore, July 1: In a major crackdown on illegal bird hunting, the Udaypur Forest Division conducted a late-night operation in the Kirtania sea area under Bhograi, rescuing hundreds of birds and arresting a suspected poacher. During the raid, officials rescued 297 live birds, recovered 113 dead birds, and seized a motorized boat used for the illegal activity. The accused has been identified as Kalicharan Mandal of Chaumukh in Baliapal. The Forest Department has launched a detailed investigation to trace others involved in the racket.According to the Forest Department, Kalicharan Mandal and his associates allegedly crossed the Subarnarekha estuary every day at around 3 a.m. to reach the Kirtania sea coast, where they trapped migratory and other birds.Acting on a specific intelligence input, Jaleswar In-charge Ranger Sanjay Kumar Mohanty led a special team that began surveillance in the middle of the sea from around 11 p.m. on Monday. After several hours of waiting, the team intercepted the poachers at around 4 a.m. and carried out the operation.During the raid, officials rescued 297 live birds, recovered 113 dead birds, and seized a motorized boat allegedly used for transporting the birds. The accused was taken into custody on the spot.Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused had been hunting birds regularly and selling them in Chaumukh and adjoining areas of Baliapal. The Forest Department is investigating the involvement of other members of the alleged poaching network and has intensified efforts to curb illegal bird hunting in the coastal region.
297 live birds rescued, poacher arrested in major forest raid
