MUMBAI
Tiger body parts command huge prices in the international market.
While the controversy over the killing of man-eating tigress Avni at Yavatmal is simmering, the state forest department has unearthed a suspected case of tiger poaching and smuggling of wildlife products in and around the Melghat tiger reserve (MTR) in Amravati.
State forest department officials told DNA that a "minimum of six people" were arrested in multiple cases that are being investigated by officials from the MTR and the neighbouring territorial forest division. "Arrests have been made and investigations are on... This is a suspected case of tiger poaching. The species and numbers are being confirmed," said a senior MTR official, adding they had leads for a poaching case inside the reserve in 2013. The time lapse made it tough to recover evidence, he admitted.
"We have made some recoveries. The recovered material is being sorted and will be sent for forensic analysis," the official said. Tiger body parts command huge prices in the international market.
He added in August, some forest guards had chanced on a group of people inside the tiger reserve. This group had attacked them and fled while leaving behind Safed Musli, which is used as a libido enhancer, and some meat suspected to be that of a porcupine, which like the tiger, is a Schedule-I species accorded the highest grade of protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
One suspect was arrested in the case and next month, when forest staff when to a village to arrest people named by the accused, they were stoned, leading to the department filing a FIR with the police. "The police picked up some people. We took their custody on a production warrant," the official said, adding that they had spilled the beans during questioning.
According to the tiger census, results for which were released in 2014, India has 2,226 tigers, up from 1,706 in 2010. Maharashtra has around 190 such big cats, more than the figure of 169 in 2010. This increased to 203 in the phase-IV camera trapping exercise in 2014-15. Maharashtra has six tiger reserves, namely Tadoba Andhari, Pench, Bor, Sahyadri, Melghat and Navegaon Nagzira and a healthy number of tigers outside protected areas (PA) as well.
Meet Swati Singh, wife of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal by 4089 votes
Meet man, son of world’s richest woman, he is set to take over Rs 1642000 crore empire as...
SHOCKING! Bride's family cancels wedding at last moment over groom's low...
Nita Ambani, Shloka Mehta stun in gorgeous sarees at Priyanka Chopra's brother wedding
Meet Trisha and Sanidhi, daughters of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal
New entrant in grocery quick-commerce, ready to compete with industry giants
Transforming the news and media industry with Generative AI: Expert insights by Sanjay Jain
Dr Tanvi Tijoriwala, ND shedsputs light on balancing skin barrier during rising temperatures
How PM Modi's magic shattered Arvind Kejriwal and his third-term hope in Delhi?
Ahmedabad: Fire breaks out at Sabarmati bullet train station, check details
Meet Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwals's wife, who was former IRS officer, met him during...
BIG blow for Meta employees, Mark Zuckerberg's company to layoff employees from..., reason is...
Amitabh Bachchan sparks major concern among fans with cryptic post, writes 'time to go'
Taylor Swift 'feels used' by Blake Lively, wishes she didn't drag her into Justin Baldoni case
Meet IAS officer who failed five times before cracking UPSC exam, cleared in 6th attempt with AIR...
Delhi Election Result 2025 Live Updates: Check full list of winners and losers in Delhi elections
Who is Kabir Bahia, Kriti Sanon's rumoured boyfriend who hid his face from paps
Delhi Election Result 2025: AAP's Arvind Kejriwal vs BJP's Parvesh Verma; key contests to watch out
Bank holidays in February 2025: Check if banks are open or closed on February 8?
Cristiano Ronaldo sends heartfelt retirement message to former Real Madrid teammate Marcelo Viera
Jeet Adani, Diva Shah are now married! Here's why their wedding was more than a mere celebration
IIT-BHU student gets highest package of Rs..., average package in 2025 is...
Music composer Anu Malik sells two Mumbai flats in Santacruz West for Rs..., co-owner is...
Jeet Adani and Diva Shah are now married; video of varmala ceremony goes viral, WATCH
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: Gautam Adani shares first pics of son's wedding, see here
Can Kejriwal win prestige battle? What are the key factors that dominated Delhi assembly polls 2025?
Subhash Ghai makes big investment, buys plush 4BHK apartment in Mumbai for...
Metovalex App Review 2025: Legit Or Scam Trading AI? - Real User Facts!
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato rebranded Eternal: Everyone has the same question
Thief gifts Rs 3cr house to girlfriend, everyone shocked after...
Who is Meghnad S? YouTuber and journalist who contested Delhi assembly polls 2025 from...
Does Sanya Malhotra's 'Mrs' promote a no-marriage culture among women?
BIG blow to Sundar Pichai as Google loses Rs 17501260000000 due to…
Caring for Ageing Parents? Essential tips to manage health, finances, and well-being
Meet Gautam Adani’s daughter-in-law Paridhi Adani: Know about her assets, career, family, and more
Jeet Adani-Diva Shah wedding: Inside pics from Gautam Adani's son's wedding festivity
Why has Premanand Maharaj stopped his morning yatras at 2 am?
Sonu Sood BREAKS SILENCE on arrest warrant against him in fraud case: 'It is sad that celebs...'
Akshata Murty once confronted her father and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy: 'My real dad is...'
Meet Alexis Wilkins, Trump's FBI chief pick Kash Patel's 'mystery girlfriend,' her profession is...
Fire breaks out at Mahakumbh Nagar camp, officials say no casualties reported so far
Who is Mohini Mohan Datta, mystery man set to get Rs 500 crore through Ratan Tata's will?