JAMMU: 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 & their articles. The Minister was addressing a huge gathering of media person 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 the Media person 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 & a case was registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1978, he said. 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 approx.
“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 2inch, 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.