Poaching partners land in jail for killing partridges

17-6-08

Poaching partners land in jail for killing partridges

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Poaching-partners-land-in-jail-for-killing-partridges/323556/

Junagadh, June 16 Forest Department officials have arrested two persons for killing a pair of partridges. Besides, they have also levied a fine of Rs 45,000 under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, on the two. The said amount will be kept as a deposit with the Forest Department till their case is heard and disposed off by senior forest officials.

Assistant Conservator of Forest (Gir east) J S Solanki said the accused have deposited the money against their release.

The Range Forest Officer (Savarkundla range) had arrested Ghanshyam Koli and Viram Koli, residents of Vijapadi village in Savarkundla taluka, on Monday on the outskirts of Vijapadi village, following a tip-off.

The foresters recovered two partridge carcasses from their possession. Partridge is protected under the schedule-4 category and killing them is an offence liable to fine.

Solanki said the case will be tabled before the Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir east). "The deposited sum might be slapped as fine. The official has the power to reduce or increase the said amount," he said.

Incidentally, the poaching of birds, particularly partridges, is considered a common practice in the region. This might, however, be a first case registered so far for poaching of these birds, said sources.