Jowai, Oct 3: A leopard cub was rescued at Lakroh MHEP on the October 01, 2021 by Dapmon Pohtam and Eddy Kery Pohtam. This cub was rescued during the cleaning work in the campus of the Powerhouse whereby the cub was spotted wandering around.
To protect the cub and to prevent threat by poachers or other animals, the rescuers immediately took the cub in their custody and informed the wildlife wing of forest department. The cub was later handed over by Eddy Kery Pohtam to the Range Officer of Jowai on Sunday (October 3, 2021) so that the necessary care and examination could be done.
Eddy kery Pohtam, who is also the President of Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), War Jaintia Circle, being extremely concerned on the rampant hunting of wild animals especially by people from the area, has urged upon the villagers to stop the hunting and poaching of these animals so that they can be preserved and also since they are vital to the ecosystem.
Pohtam, after meeting with the Range officer F. Passah, has expressed the need to create more awareness at village level so that the locals understand the importance of preserving these wildlife and to stop engaging in poaching and hunting of these wildlife.
He pointed that the villagers should be informed of the consequences or punishments as per Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 which can land a person in prison for upto 3 years for such offence so that the villagers are also aware before they continue with these habits. He also stated that rampant hunting and poaching of wildlife is continuing in the Lakroh area and other war jaintia areas.
