The Mahakalpada forest range officials on last Wednesday evening seized two chameleons from the possessions of two persons near Jaanra bridge under Mahakalpada gram panchayat, while the duo was allegedly making an attempt to smuggle them outside.
Mahakalpada Ranger Bijay Kumar Parida said the duo was arrested and identified as Abhiram Sarkar of Bada Tubi village under Batighar gram panchayat and Pratap Chandra Behera of Bahakuda village under Ramnagar gram panchayat. According to forest official sources, the duo allegedly trapped the two chameleons from Hetamundia Reserve Forest and later was slyly trying to smuggle them outside. But the forest personnel, acting on a tipoff, conducted a raid and managed to nab the duo. Chameleons were later released at Kharanashi protected forest, informed Parida.