SAGALEE, Feb 22: In a major crackdown on wildlife poaching, the Sagalee Forest Division seized a large quantity of wildlife meat, carcasses, and hunting equipment from several light motor vehicles along the Trans-Arunachal Highway in Toru Circle, Papum Pare district, on Saturday.
The operation was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to prevent hunting, poaching, and consumption of wildlife while raising awareness about wildlife conservation and ecological balance.
Speaking on the operation, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Mori Riba stated, “During the festive season, our team has been maintaining strict vigilance to curb poaching and restrict the consumption of wildlife meat. As part of this drive, a special operation was carried out on February 22 at Toru under Kheel-Toru Range, where our team intercepted vehicles originating from East Kameng and Pakke Kessang districts. Upon inspection, carcasses of multiple wild animals and birds were recovered.”
Wildlife Seized in the Operation:
Barking Deer – 4
Civet Cat – 2
Squirrel – 3
Chainsaw – 5
Various bird species – Around 6 dozen
After completing all legal formalities under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the seized wildlife carcasses were destroyed in the presence of local journalists, panchayat members, and villagers, under the supervision of Range Forest Officer (Kheel-Toru) Neelam Shumpi and her team.
DFO Riba urged residents of Sagalee, East Kameng, Pakke Kessang, Papum Pare, Keyi Panyor, and Lower Subansiri districts to refrain from hunting, consuming, or trading in wildlife meat, especially during festivals like Nyokum Yullo 2025.
He also called on citizens to take a pledge during the upcoming Nyokum Yullo festival to stop killing and consuming wildlife and work towards protecting and conserving the environment.
Forest Officials Leading the Operation:
RFO (Kheel-Toru) – Neelam Shumpi
RFO (Sagalee) – Tai Dora
RFO (Khunglo Kara Koba)
RFO (Mengio) – Nabam Takam
Frontline staff of Sagalee Forest Division
The Sagalee Forest Division has vowed to continue its crackdown on illegal wildlife activities and intensify awareness campaigns to ensure long-term conservation efforts in the region.
