Meghalaya Govt ordered inquiry into alleged killing of Asiatic black bear

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 5, 2020

The state government has ordered inquiry into the alleged capturing and killing of an endangered Asiatic black bear in East Khasi Hills District.

This came after a photograph of some local villagers along with the wild animal have gone viral on social media. The incident had occurred in a village under the Pynursla civil sub-division along the Indo-Bangla border.  

“On receiving information, DFO Wildlife has immediately sent a team of officials to conduct an inquiry into the incident,” Forest and Environment Minister Lahkmen Rymbui told reporters here on Tuesday.  

Rymbui said that he has directed the concerned authority to submit a full report on the incident by tomorrow.

Asked, the minister said he has also received the photograph of the wild animal being captured but is yet to know whether it is still alive or has been killed.

“The captured wild animal is an Asiatic Black bear or Himalayan bear and is an endangered species,” he said.

The minister also maintained that people indulging in killing of wildlife will be punished as per the Wildlife Act. “We have issued clear instruction to the department to take stern action against those involved in such activities,” he said while urging people to refrain from such activities.