Yet another poaching incident has been registered in Leh district. The poachers killed a blue sheep between Kairy and Nee village in Rong Changthang on May 13. Although the body of the blue sheep has been recovered, the identity of the poachers hasn't been ascertained yet. No arrests have taken place so far. 

According to reports, the incident came to the notice of the Wildlife team returning from Hanley. The wildlife rangers found a suspicious army vehicle and started inspecting it. They found a few men carrying the dead blue sheep to the other side of the river. The poachers fled when the wildlife team tried to catch hold of them.  

Sources reveal that the blue sheep was pregnant and was carrying an 8-month-old dead fetus in her womb.

Sajid Sultan, Regional Wildlife Warden, said: “The incident took place in the evening, and around 6 to 7 people are involved in the poaching case. As soon our people tried to chase them, they managed to escape leaving behind the carcass of the blue sheep.”

“Traces of bullet were found inside the body during the autopsy t that confirms that it is a case of poaching. We have solid evidence, and we have filed the POR and initiated the departmental enquiry. We will serve notice to the suspects on our radar. Once the investigation is over, we would submit the final report to the court for further hearing," he added.

“Since we found an army vehicle at the spot, it wouldn't be difficult for us to find the suspects. The cooperation of the Army is a must in this case," he said. 

Another poaching of a blue sheep was recorded on December 15 at South Pullu near Khardong La. The case sparked controversy due to the involvement of a Ladakh Police officer. 

The rise in the number of poaching cases in Leh district has raised questions over the safety of wild animals and the failure of the District Administration to punish the culprits. These poaching cases show the way the system works. 

Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, Executive Councillor, Wildlife, Hill Council, Leh, informed that the case is under investigation and the wildlife team has enough proof in the form of pictures and visuals.

When asked about the status of last year's poaching case of a blue sheep at South Pullu, near Khardong La, Tashi informed that the report has been submitted to the court.

Thinles Nurboo, Councillor, said that he and Executive Councillor for Wildlife are personally monitoring the case. He stated that such incidents are a matter of concern for everyone as Ladakh is rich in biodiversity, geographically vast and scattered.   

The need of the hour is to enforce strict law against anyone involved in such practices to stop such incidents in the future.