Leopard Cat rescued in Lakroh village along Indo-Bangla Border

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 4, 2021

A Leopard Cat cub was rescued at Lakroh Mini Hydel Project by Dapmon Pohtam and  Eddy Kery Pohtam. Lakroh is a remote village along Indo-Bangla Border in West Jaintia Hills District.

The Leopard Cat cub was rescued on Friday when cleaning work was done in the campus of the powerhouse in which the cub was seen wandering and alone.

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 so that the necessary care and examination could be done by the wildlife department.

Eddy Kery Pohtam also the president Jaintia Students Union (JSU) War Jaintia Circle expressed concern on the rampant hunting of wild animals especially by people from the area. He urged the villagers to stop the hunting and poaching of these animals so that they can be preserved as they are vital to the ecosystem.

Pohtam after meeting with the Range officer F Passah 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 habits 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 upto 3 years for such offence.

He added that Wildlife hunting is rampant in Lakroh area and other villages under War Jaintia areas.