A leopard’s pelt, bones and flesh were uncovered from four different holes dug in the ground near Motichur area of the Rajaji National Park on Thursday morning.
The seizure was made by the Haridwar range officers from Dudhia beat.
The seized remains of the big cat were sent to the range office for post mortem examination.
The seizures have raised concern especially regarding the failure of the authorities to relocate settlements like the nearby Sapera Basti which has also been the centre of wildlife contraband seizures in the past.
Expressing concern the former honorary chief wildlife warden and member of state wildlife board Rajeev Mehta said, “The seizure of leopard remains has raised questions about how the poachers carried out the kill inside the reserve area, skinned the animal and also had a party since glasses, liquor bottles and cigarettes were also recovered from the site, while the forest officials remained oblivious to this.
Further, it is also a matter of concern that forest department is mulling over relocation of tigers to the area just next to Motichur where leopards have mauled 10 people in the past one year.
The department must delay the relocation project till the Motichur flyover is complete,” he opined.
Speaking to The Pioneer, principal chief conservator of forests, Jairaj said, “Acting on a tip off our team conducted raid in the forest area on Thursday morning.
It was not known earlier whether the contraband was hidden in Haridwar forest division or Rajaji. later after having uncovered the pelt, bones and flesh, we suspect even more such cases.
Our operation shall continue.” Taking a stern note of this seizure, the PCCF said, “After my return from Gujarat when the formal reports are ready, we shall see to it how this could happen right under the noses of the officials.
Anyone found guilty will not be spared and strict action will be taken against such persons. We are also on the lookout for the poachers.”
Haridwar ranger Anup Gusain said, “Around 12 kg bones, fresh flesh and pelt of leopard were recovered from the deep forest of Haridwar range.
We conducted raid after getting information from our sourcesand further investigation is going on.
The leopard pelt is about one year old and why the old pelt was placed with fresh flesh and bones of the big cat is also being investigated into.”
Meanwhile, some photographers and activists alleged that the Rajaji deputy director misbehaved with them as he did not the media persons to expose this case.
Aditya Sharma from PFA said, “It is a big question why the Sapera Basti has not been removed till date from the Rajaji area.”