One held for smuggling Leopard skin, bones

Nepal: One person has been arrested in possession of 570 kilo gram Leopard bones and its hide from Pipalbot in Magar gaun in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-18 on Tuesday, police said. Police identified the suspect as Nakal Bahadur Bal (54) of Indrasarobar Rural Municipality-4 in Makwanpur district.

Acting on a tip-off, a special police team deployed from the Metropolitan Crime Division, on suspicion intercepted a bike (Ba 42 Pa 8810) and frisked the suspect before recovering 570 kilo gram of Leopard bones hidden inside a plastic bag, police said.

The suspect along with the seized endangered species bones and skins has been sent to the Hatisar-based Lalitpur District Forest Office for further investigation and action today itself, MCD said in a statement.

Earlier, Nakal Bahadur Bal, was arrested with two Leopard skin on December 24, 2016, from Karyabinayak Municipality-16 in Lalitpur district and presented to District Forest Office following day for further investigation, as stated in the statement.

However, Bal was released on bail later. It has been learned that Bal’s case is sub judice in the court.

As per the existing National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, the convict would be sentenced up to 5 to 15 years in prison and fine of Rs 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs or both.

Meanwhile, Leopard is categorised in top most lists of endangered species in Nepal.

Source: (The Himalayan Times)