Kolhapur: Satara forest department has caught four people red-handed while hunting wild boar in Aardi Khurd in Phaltan taluka of Satara district. A case has been registered against them under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In this case, three mobile phones, a bike, hunting equipment, and the dead wild boar have been seized by the department.As per the information received from Satara forest department, late night on July 30, the Forest Department conducted a raid on a tip-off in the Phaltan forest area. At this time, the suspects, Somnath Balu Bhandalkar (50), Atul Ramesh Jadhav (20), Vikram Santosh Dombale (24) and Ganesh Laxman Jadhav (25, all residents of Adarki Khurd, Tal. Phaltan in Satara) were found hunting a wild boar. As the accused were caught red handed, they were immediately arrested.Forest Guard for Adarki range registered a case under Section 2 (16), 9, 39 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In this case, three mobile phones, a bike with registration number MH 11 BU 4585, hunting equipment and the dead wild boar have been seized by the department.The Forest Department has appealed to citizens and warned that strict action will be taken against those involved in hunting, illegal trafficking of wild animals, illegal logging, and encroachment on reserved forest areas.Phaltan Range Forest Officer Nikita Botkar said, “According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, hunting of any wild animal is a cognisable and non-bailable offence, punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to one lakh rupees, or both. Therefore, one should stay away from hunting of wild animals, illegal transportation of forest products, illegal felling of trees and encroachment in reserved forest areas, otherwise the concerned will be liable to punishment”.This action was carried by Assistant Conservator of Forests Digambar Jadhav, Range Forest Officer Nikita Botkar, Forest Ranger Mahadev Patil, Forest Guard Suraj Inkar and other staff under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests Amol Satpute.
