Estate manager held for illegal possession of tiger pelt

The manager of a coffee estate in Biligiri Ranganabetta Tiger (BRT) Reserve was taken into custody by the Forest Department on charges of illegal possession of a tiger pelt and 15 antlers of deer in his bungalow.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Ajay Mishra told The Hindu over phone that forest officials inspected the bungalow after a tip-off and found the wildlife products, the keeping of which is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The manager B.H. Lakhani was, however, released on bail.

Possession of wildlife products of species listed under various schedules of the Act without permission and ownership certificate issued by the Forest Department is illegal. “He was unable to produce ownership certificates. We have booked a case and are investigating,” Mr. Mishra added.

In 2003, the Union government had given citizens an opportunity to disclose the possession of such wildlife products, for the benefit of those who had inherited them from their ancestors. “It was a one-time opportunity, which extended from April to October 2003,” he said.