The Forest Department has apprehended two individuals for the brutal poaching of a sambar deer using country-made explosives near the Therkumalai Reserve Forest. The suspects have been remanded to judicial custody.

  • A sambar deer was poached using 'avuttukai' (country-made explosives) in Kottakarai.
  • Two suspects, identified as M. Alwin Raj and S. Ramesh, have been arrested.
  • Authorities are now tracking the supply chain of explosives and venison buyers.

In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife activities, the Forest Department in Kanniyakumari has arrested two individuals for poaching a sambar deer. The incident occurred in the Kottakarai area, adjacent to the Therkumalai Reserve Forest, where the poachers utilized dangerous country-made explosives, known locally as avuttukai, to kill the animal.

The discovery was made during a routine patrol led by Boothapandi Forest Range Officer Anbalagan late Monday night. Upon inspecting the area, forest personnel discovered the remains of the deer, including its head and intestines, discarded near a bush. The use of explosives highlights a violent trend in poaching that threatens both wildlife and forest staff.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the transition from traditional hunting methods to the use of improvised explosives marks a dangerous escalation in wildlife crime. This not only decimates local fauna populations but also poses a significant physical risk to forest rangers patrolling these high-risk zones.

The use of explosives in poaching indicates a growing sophistication in criminal tactics that demands advanced surveillance and intelligence-led policing.

Following the discovery, a formal case was registered under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Utilizing a combination of forensic evidence and CCTV surveillance footage, authorities identified and apprehended M. Alwin Raj (30) and S. Ramesh (42), both residents of Kattupudhur. The duo was produced before the Special Court for Forest Cases in Nagercoil and has been remanded to judicial custody.

A. Anbu, the Kanniyakumari District Forest Officer, stated that the investigation is expanding. The department is currently working to dismantle the broader network by identifying those who supply the chemicals used for explosives and the illicit buyers of venison.

Historical Background

Wildlife poaching in India has been a persistent challenge despite stringent laws. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 was enacted to provide a legal framework for the protection of various species, yet the emergence of chemical-based poaching remains a modern hurdle for conservationists across the subcontinent.

Did You Know?: Sambar deer are vital to forest ecosystems, acting as a key prey species for large carnivores like tigers and leopards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What method was used in this poaching incident?
Answer: The poachers used country-made explosives (avuttukai) to kill the sambar deer.

Question 2: Who are the arrested individuals?
Answer: The arrested individuals are M. Alwin Raj, 30, and S. Ramesh, 42, from Kattupudhur.