Pune: Junnar Forest Officials Nab Civet Cat And Soft-Shell Turtle Poacher In Raigad
Pune: Junnar Forest Officials Nab Civet Cat And Soft-Shell Turtle Poacher In Raigad
Pune, February 24, 2026: The Junnar Forest Department has taken strict action against a poacher involved in the hunting of a civet cat and a soft-shell turtle, both protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
On February 22, forest officials, led by Forest Range Officer, Shirur, received information that a man was attempting to poach wildlife in Raigad district. The accused, 39-year-old Lakshman Sakharam Pawar of Dudhadevadi, Ghotawade, was apprehended along with the seized civet cat and soft-shell turtle, as well as hunting equipment.
A case has been registered under Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 at the Shirapur forest division. Forest authorities are investigating further to identify any other accomplices involved in the crime.
Pawar was presented before the First Class Judicial Magistrate, Shirur, on February 23 and remanded to two days of forest custody. Hunting of Schedule I species such as civet cat and soft-shell turtles is punishable with imprisonment up to seven years and a fine up to ₹25,000.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Conservator of Forests Ashish Thakre and Deputy Conservator Prashant Khade, with active participation from Assistant Conservator Smita Rajhans, Forest Range Officer Nilkanth Gavhane, and field staff including forest guards Gauri Hingne, Pramod Patil, Sopan Anasune, Narayan Rathod, Ganesh Zhirpe, and Jalinder Sanap.
Authorities have warned that participation in such poaching activities will result in strict action under the law.
