BARGARH :Two persons were arrested and 83 Sambar antlers seized from the vehicle in which they were travelling by Bargarh police on Dungri-Ambahona road here on Saturday.
Those arrested are Manohar Seth (46) of Nuapada village and SubalSahu (27) of Lelehar village, both under Ambabhona police limits of the district. Informing this to mediapersons, Bargarh SP Ashis Singh said the antlers were being smuggled for sale. The seizure has exposed the large-scale poaching in Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary situated along the periphery of Hirakud dam reservoir in Sambalpur and Bargarh districts.
However, DFO of Hirakud wildlife division, SudeepNayak said 81 of the 83 antlers seized had got detached from the Sambar naturally. Villagers collect these antlers and mostly use them in decorating musical instruments like drums, he said, adding that antlers do not have any market demand.
Earlier on July 12, Bargarh police seized 21 Sambar antlers and had arrested four persons, while the antlers were being transported to Bargarh from Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. On July 13, Forest Department officials arrested four more persons on similar charges.
