Odisha Vigilance’s forest wing has arrested a man following a raid in the Udyanbandh Forest Range. The seized leopard skin will be sent for biological examination.
Nuapada, Odisha | September 22, 2026
Odisha Vigilance’s forest wing arrested a suspected poacher and seized a leopard skin during a surprise raid in Nuapada district on Tuesday, in another reported case of illegal wildlife trade in the state.
Raid Conducted Following Intelligence Input
Acting on information about a suspected wildlife offence, a Vigilance team carried out a raid in the Udyanbandh Forest Range under the Khariar Forest Division.
During the operation, officials recovered a leopard skin and arrested a man identified as Inyat Alli, a resident of Kumuntimunda village under Kumna police station.
According to officials, the accused was arrested at the spot for an alleged violation of Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits hunting protected wild animals. The reported offence is punishable under Section 51 of the Act.
Leopard Skin to Undergo Scientific Examination
The seized skin will be sent to the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun for biological examination, officials said.
Further investigation is underway. Authorities have not yet disclosed where the leopard was killed, when the alleged poaching occurred or whether additional people were involved.
Growing Concern Over Illegal Leopard Trade
Leopards receive the highest level of legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Wildlife activists cited in the report expressed concern that leopard poaching in Odisha may be linked to organised wildlife-trafficking networks. They also pointed to demand for leopard skins in illegal international markets. These concerns do not, however, establish that the accused in the Nuapada case belonged to such a network.
The arrest follows another recent seizure in Odisha. On September 18, forest and police officials recovered two leopard skins and arrested a man during a raid at Baliguda bus stand in Kandhamal district. Investigators were examining the suspected supply chain and intended destination of those skins.
The latest Nuapada seizure highlights the importance of tracing the origin of confiscated wildlife products and investigating the wider chain of people involved in illegal hunting and trade.
Source credit: The Statesman, September 22, 2026 . Additional reporting: UNI and OrissaPOST.
Leave a Reply