Bhubaneswar, Sept. 9 -- Residents of villages lying on the close periphery of Odisha's Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary tipped off the forest personnel and facilitated the arrest of fugitive wildlife offenders and saved the wild animals from being possibly killed by the poachers.
The local Sarpanch held a public meeting and pledged to de-weaponize the entire village, infamous for poaching activities, concluded the forest officials.
The locals identified the poachers who had fled during a crackdown by an anti-poaching squad. Later they forced them to surrender, said forest officials. Seven poachers were nabbed and arms were recovered from their possession.
The interception of the accused persons and seizure of arms could be achieved due to the...