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NEW DELHI: A recent blackbuck poaching incident in Jandwala Bishnoiyan village, Sirsa district, has ignited widespread outrage, particularly among the Bishnoi community. The incident occurred in Deshkamal’s fields. A carcass of an adult male blackbuck, approximately five years old, was found with visible signs of poaching including cut marks on December 23.
Chander Mohan Bishnoi, a member of the Jeev Raksha Team, first discovered the carcass and informed authorities. The police and wildlife officials arrived at the site and the carcass was sent for post-mortem. This tragic event marks the third such incident in a month, prompting local residents to meet Haryana’s PWD Minister Ranbir Gangwa to demand strict action against the poachers. Blackbucks are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
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Dr. Anil Beniwal, a Veterinary surgeon, conducted the post-mortem and confirmed a punctured wound which indicates poaching. He noted that other animals, including a nilgai and calves, might also have been poached in the area. Pieces of animal meat were sent for forensic examination to investigate the poachers’ involvement in previous incidents.
The poaching incidents have raised alarms among local conservationists, who are concerned about the declining blackbuck population in the region. Around 11 villages in the Dabwali region, which were once part of a sanctuary, were de-notified in 2017. Since then, the numbers of blackbucks and chinkara deer have dwindled in villages such as Jandwala Bishnoiyan, Ganga, and Bhaukhera.
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The police suspect that poachers may be coming from Rajasthan as poaching tends to spike during the winter months. A police team led by ASI Rohtash has launched an investigation to apprehend the culprits. The Bishnoi community is calling for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws to prevent further poaching and ensure the safety of endangered species.
A case has been registered under Sections 9, 39, 49, 51, and 54 of the Wildlife Protection Act, and the investigation is ongoing. The community’s demand for stringent action against the poachers underscores the importance of preserving wildlife and protecting endangered species like the blackbuck.
The blackbuck poaching incident in Sirsa district highlights the urgent need for stronger wildlife protection measures and community involvement in conservation efforts.
