Cross-border raid nets two Odisha men for poaching bid in Udanti reserve

Raipur: A cross-border raid by forest teams has led to the arrest of two men from Odisha who allegedly entered the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve to hunt wildlife, with authorities now planning to widen patrols up to 50 km inside adjoining border areas.The action followed a tip-off on April 1. A team led by Kulhadighat buffer range officer Dinesh Chaudhary raided Gantiyapada Katfar village under Boden police station in Nuapada district.During the search of a residence belonging to Jairam Paharia, officials recovered two bows, five arrows, and a traditional bell (ghurru). Following the recovery, the team arrested Jairam Paharia and his accomplice, Barnasing Paharia, both residents of the village. The accused admitted to entering the tiger reserve at night with weapons to hunt wildlife. They also provided information regarding other villagers involved in previous poaching incidents, and a search was underway to apprehend them.The forest department booked the duo under Sections 2, 9, 27, 29, 31, 51, and 52 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Gariaband on 7 April 2026 and have been sent to 14-day judicial custody in Gariaband district jail. The operation involved a joint effort between Chhattisgarh and Odisha forest officials, including trainee IFS officer Arnab Samantra from Odisha and USTR anti-poaching nodal officer Gopal Singh Kashyap. The USTR sniffer dog team also played a role in the investigation. Range Officer Dinesh Chaudhary is leading further investigation into the matter.