Bhubaneswar: The Hirakud Wildlife division official on Friday arrested two hunters in connection with the trade in the forbidden wildlife and seized the skin of the Asian monitor lizard and sambar horns from within the Debigarh Sanctuary.
Acting on the tip-off, wildlife officials stormed Mundakati Village and found five Asian monitor lizards and sambar horns which weighed two kg and a length of 31 inches.
Both hunters are customary violators, said wildlife officials.
RAID was carried out by the Hirakud Wildlife Division Patrol Force.
“We are trying to ensure a network of local operators involved in trade in wildlife in Debigarh.
We have increased alertness and have used informants in illegal hunting routes identified in and around Debigarh Sanctuary,” said Anshu Pragyan Das, Division Forest Officer, the Hirakud Wildlife Division.
Hunters were identified as Ramanidhi Bhoe (52) and Kshamanidhi Pradhan (35).
Both of them belong to Mundakati village and work as grazer livestock.
Wildlife officials say the skin of the Asian monitor lizard is used to make handbags, homemade accessories, etc.
The confiscated jaren had been dried so it did not have moisture and smell, said wildlife officials.
Lizard Monitor Five FT is found in Debrigarh.
They have a branched tongue.
Because of its thick skin, they are not a prey of large carnivores that are liked.
In Debrigarh, they are hunted for meat.