BHUBANESWAR : Disturbing video of a fishing cat brutally tied to a rope and hanged to death by some locals in a village in Gop block of Puri has triggered questions on protection of the scheduled-I species which remains at the receiving end of man-animal conflict, largely due to misconception, in the region.
The Forest department, which hasn’t been able to make any arrests, however, has launched a manhunt to apprehend the culprits and decided to raise awareness on conservation of the wild cat that plays a significant role in preservation of the degrading wetland ecosystem.
Sources said the incident allegedly took place at Barimunda-Nuahata village in Gop block of Puri where a few villagers tied the fishing cat to a rope and hanged it to death. The village falls under Astaranga range of Puri wildlife division. The photos and videos of some locals hanging the cat with the help of a rope mercilessly also surfaced drawing severe flak for the Forest department.
PCCF Wildlife Susanta Nanda said the perpetrators of the crime will not go unpunished. The forest field staff are on the job and a case has already been registered in the matter, in informed.
Puri DFO Vivek Kumar said two persons involved in the case have already been identified. They, however, are absconding and efforts are on to nab them. The accused have been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act - 1972 which provides for imprisonment of up to seven years in jail, Kumar said.
The DFO said habitat improvement activities for revival of fishing cat population in the region is continuing. However, some misconceptions among locals that the species could cause harm need to be cleared. “In fact, the cats help in effective management of the wetland ecosystem. Awareness drive in this regard will be intensified in the area,” he said.