13 May 2010

New Delhi: In a joint operation of the Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Forest Department, assisted by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), a gall bladder of an Asiatic black bear, a leopard skin, and the bones and horns of goral were seized this morning (13th May 2010) at Paonta Sahib of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, a town bordering Uttarakhand.
 
One person has been arrested in this connection and a vehicle has also been seized. The enforcement operation was led by Mr Pramjit Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife Protection), Uttarakhand. Many wildlife cases have earlier been reported from Paonta Sahib and nearby areas.
 
Asiatic black bears are found in the Himalayas and North-east hills of India. Poaching of bears and removal of their gall bladders for use in traditional Chinese medicine is the main threat to this species. The black bear and leopard are listed in Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act and afforded the highest degree of protection by law. Any offence committed in relation these animals is punishable with imprisonment for a term between three and seven years and also with a fine not less than ten thousand rupees. The Asiatic black bear is also listed as vulnerable on the World Conservation Union's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened species.

In another WPSI assisted case on 10th May 2010, 2 jackal heads and jackal meat were seized and one person was arrested when he was cooking the meat at Dehradun. Three other people who were also present managed to abscond. The anti-poaching cell of the Uttarakhand Forest Department carried out this enforcement operation and a case has been registered in Malsi range of Dehradun Forest Division.