Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 29: Minister for Forests, Environment & Ecology Ch. Lal Singh, today said that the Government would deal strictly with poachers and those involved in illegal trade of wild animal and their articles.
The Minister was addressing media persons at Manda Deer Park, here today after a Cured Trophy of Leopard Skin was recovered by the Wildlife staff during routine patrolling.
Ch. Lal Singh informed that during the regular patrolling by the Wildlife staff, a suspicious bag was recovered containing a Cured Trophy of Leopard Skin mounted on a cloth. A seizure memo was prepared and a case was registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1978.
He said the Cured Leopard skin has been brought to the Range Office Wildlife Range Jammu, adding it is a full grown animal of 7 to 8 years of age.
“It is a Schedule-I animal and its pouching is punishable under Section-51, where the punishment may vary from 2years to 6 years and invite a fine of Rs 25000”, he informed.
It was also revealed that the skin is 8ft 5 inch long, left fore limb to right fore limb 5ft 2 inch, left hind limb to right hind limb 4ft 6inch, left fore limb to right hind limb (diagonally) 6ft 7inch’, right fore limb to left hind limb 6ft 6inch centre width is 2ft 5inch.
The Minister said that it is illegal to possess, trade or kill any wild animal and constitutes non-bailable cognizable offence under the J&K Wildlife Protection Act 1978.
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