Pune: Junnar Forest Officials Bust Major Poaching Network, 21 Booked
Pune: Junnar Forest Officials Bust Major Poaching Network, 21 Booked
Renuka Suryavanshi
In a major crackdown on illegal hunting, the Junnar forest department has booked 21 individuals for their involvement in wildlife poaching activities within a protected forest area near Hadsar village, Junnar tehsil. The operation was conducted after forest guard Eknath Bangarb of the Rajur range received a tip-off about a group using traditional traps known as Waghuri to hunt wild animals.
Acting swiftly, Bangarb and forest personnel from Nimgiri and Aptale villages discovered multiple traps and an active attempt to drive animals into them. Additional teams were deployed under the supervision of Range Forest Officer Pradeep Chavan. The coordinated action led to the seizure of 21 Waghuris, 10 two-wheelers used for transport, and the detention of 21 suspects.
Among those detained, 15 are residents of Surale village, four from Hadsar, and one each from Mauje Tejur and Mangnewadi (Khamgaon), all within Junnar tehsil. Initial interrogations revealed that 17 of them confessed to being part of the poaching attempt. They were released on bond, pending further legal proceedings.
However, four suspects—Nilesh, Ramesh, and Pradeep Kedari (all from Surale) and Kisan Bhale from Hadsar—remained uncooperative, providing misleading information. They were arrested later on May 13 and presented before a judicial magistrate in Junnar. The court has remanded them to police custody for two days.
“This is a serious violation of Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits hunting and trapping. Offenders can face up to seven years in prison and fines up to ₹25,000,” said Range Officer Pradeep Chavan.
Smita Rajhans, Assistant Conservator of Forests (Junnar), confirmed the custody of the four key suspects and stated that investigations are ongoing to trace wider connections in the poaching network.
The area is home to species like wild boar, Sambar deer, rabbits, and the southern red muntjac. While there’s no confirmation of illegal meat trade, officials believe the poaching was likely for consumption. The department has urged citizens to report any suspicious wildlife activity via the forest helpline 1926.
Separate Wildlife Seizure in Maval
In a related action, the Pune forest department conducted a raid on May 13 at Sing Bungalow in Tikona village, Maval. Officials arrested 26-year-old Sukhmit Harmit Singh Bhutaliya and seized 52 kg of suspected wild animal meat, two firearms, live and spent cartridges, and hunting equipment.
A case has been filed under Sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. According to Tushar Chavan, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), the meat samples have been sent to the Wildlife Research Centre in Nagpur for forensic analysis, and firearm ownership is being verified with the police. The accused will be presented in court as per legal procedure.
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