The Odisha Forest Department has found itself in a tight spot over alleged instances of elephant poaching over the past fortnight.
A suspended forest officer recently scaled the boundary wall of the Athagarh Forest Division office to evade questioning on elephant deaths in Cuttack district. The incident took place while a Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police’s Crime Branch was looking into allegations of poaching of two elephants in Badamba range, which falls under the Athagarh Forest Division.
The suspended forest officer, identified as Manoj Das, was accused of negligence and being involved in destroying evidence of elephant poaching. Six persons, including three elephant watchers and a forest guard, were arrested over the deaths. Two forest officials were booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
