Wildlife personnel in Chilika arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly firing shots to poach migratory birds in India’s largest waterfowl habitat on Monday afternoon.
The accused, identified as Shekh Mustak of Maluda in Puri district, was apprehended by wildlife staff from Siandi under the Chilika range, according to Amlan Nayak, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). Authorities seized the carcasses of two birds, a motorcycle, and a country-made gun with three bullets from Mustak’s possession.
The dead birds were identified as a little egret (Egretta garzetta) and a cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), both protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Mustak was unable to provide any legal documents for the seized items.
This arrest marks the continuation of a strict anti-poaching drive in Chilika, with at least three cases registered under the Wildlife Protection Act in the last two weeks. On November 18, another suspect was arrested from Dochin and Deipur in the Tangi range with 44 dead birds.
Additionally, on November 25, a 65-year-old fisherman was apprehended for entering a restricted sanctuary area illegally. Officials seized a fibre boat, 9 HP motor engine, and 11 nets from the individual.
DFO Nayak emphasized that the division maintains strict vigilance through regular patrolling, stating that 21 temporary anti-poaching camps have been set up in the lake and will continue until the end of March to ensure zero tolerance toward poaching.
