Pune: In a swift and confidential operation carried out on the morning of May 13, 2025, the Forest Department busted an illegal wildlife poaching activity in Tikona village, located in Maval Taluka of Pune district. The team raided a location known as “Sing Bungalow” based on a tip-off, leading to the arrest of 26-year-old Sukhmit Harmit Singh Bhutaliya, a resident of Tikona.
During the raid, officials seized around 52 kilograms of suspected wild animal meat, along with two firearms, live and spent cartridges, and various hunting and skinning tools. A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. He will be produced in court following the prescribed legal procedures.
This operation was carried out under the strategic direction of Shri Tushar Chavan, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Pune), and led on-ground by Shri Mangesh Tate, Assistant Conservator of Forests. The frontline team comprised Shri Prakash Shinde (Range Forest Officer, Vadgaon), Smt. Seema Palodkar (Forester, Devle), Shri Ganesh Mhetre (Forester, Khandala), Shri Sandeep Arun (Forest Guard, Chavsar), and Smt. Shelke (Forest Guard, Devle).
The seized meat has been sent to the Wildlife Research Centre at Gorewada, Nagpur, for forensic analysis and species confirmation. Meanwhile, the weapons and ammunition recovered from the site will undergo verification in coordination with the local police to assess licensing and ownership status.
The Forest Department has urged citizens to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving wildlife poaching or illegal trade. Authorities emphasized that conservation of forests and wildlife is a collective duty, and public support is vital in curbing such crimes.
