Six people arrested over alleged blackbuck hunting in Bidar

Six persons, including three from Hyderabad, have been arrested in connection with the alleged illegal hunting of a blackbuck at Chondi-Mamadapur grassland near the Honnikeri Reserved Forest area in Bidar district of Karnataka, the Forest Department said.

The incident was reported on August 17 at the grassland, known to be a habitat of blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra).

According to officials, three of the suspects were chased and apprehended by alert residents of Chondi Tanda and Mamadapur Tanda and handed over to the police and subsequently to the Forest Department.

Three



others allegedly fled the spot, prompting the department to constitute a special search team. “A coordinated operation involving the Forest and Police departments of Bidar and neighbouring Kalaburagi district, along with assistance from Telangana Forest authorities, resulted in the arrest of the remaining three suspects on August 18,” said Sumitkumar Subhashrao Patil, Deputy conservator of forests, Bidar.

Officials said the six arrested persons included three local residents of Chincholi taluk in Kalaburagi district and three residents of Hyderabad. Two four-wheelers and a rifle allegedly used in the offence were seized.