16th July, 2003

Two fresh tiger skins were recovered on the night of 12 July from a boat in Raimangal River one kilometre from the jetty of Hemnagar village in 24 Parganas (North) on the edge of Sundarban Tiger Reserve. Three men were arrested. They were produced in the Alipore Court in Kolkata today.

Acting on a tip off, the raid was conducted by forest officer Nilratan Guha along with police officers C. R. Nandi, S. Ganguli, N. K. Mondal and Sajahan Khan. A gun, ten cartridges and the boat were also seized. The Field Director of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, Mr. Pradeep Vyas, has taken some good enforcement initiatives in and around the Park since he took over last year.

Last week the Divisional Forest Officer of Nadia District, which is just north of 24 Parganas (North), seized 92 kg of ivory. The accused in this case has been granted bail.