The Forest Department has arrested six people in connection with the hunting of a blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in the Bidar Forest Division. Three of the accused were apprehended with the help of villagers and the other three arrested during a search operation.

The incident occurred on Monday. Three of the accused were given a chase and caught by villagers of Chondi Tanda and Mamadapur Tanda in Bidar taluk and handed over to the police.

They were subsequently handed over to the Forest Department for registration of a case and further legal action.

The other three accused fled from the spot. The Forest Department constituted a special team to trace them and launched a search operation. On Tuesday, the team, led by Assistant Conservator of Forests, Basavakalyan, Muneer Ahmed, traced and arrested all three.

The Forest Department seized two four-wheelers and a rifle used in the offence. The arrested were produced before a court.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that three of the accused were from Chincholi taluk of Kalaburagi district and the other three from Hyderabad in neighbouring Telangana, according to the Forest Department.

The blackbuck is a protected wild animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and hunting it is punishable under the Act. The department said that further investigation and legal proceedings are under way.

The Forest Department appreciated the villagers of Chondi and Mamadapur tandas for apprehending three of the accused and handing them over to the police.

It appealed to people in Bidar district to immediately inform the nearest Forest Department office or staff about any instances of wildlife hunting or other illegal activities involving wildlife. The department said that such information will be acted upon and cases registered against those found responsible.

The department also sought the cooperation of the public in protecting and conserving wildlife.

Published - August 19, 2026 08:48 pm IST