Assam: Cotton Pygmy Goose Saved as Forest Team Nabs Five Hunters at Bholakata Beel

On the evening of December 9, 2025, around 6:00 pm, officials of the Central Range, Biswanath Ghat, received a specific input about illegal trapping activity at Bholakata Beel. 

Acting swiftly, a team led by the Range Forest Officer of the Central Range, along with officers from the Crime Investigation Range, rushed to the spot.

Upon reaching the site, the team caught five individuals red-handed as they were attempting to trap wild birds using a net. A live wild bird—suspected to be a Cotton Pygmy Goose, a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972—was rescued from their possession. The team also seized a fishing net, two mobile phones, a torchlight and two white bags used during the hunt.

The accused, identified as Md. Saiful Islam, Anwar Hussain and Tamsar Ali from Nonkey Japoriguri; Abul Hussain from Borjharoni, Gingia; and Phukir Ali from Brahmaputra Chapori, Gingia, were immediately detained. They will be produced before the Hon’ble Chief Judicial Magistrate, Biswanath, on December 10, 2025.

The forest officials have reiterated that any attempt to harm or hunt protected wildlife will be met with strict legal action, as the department continues its efforts to safeguard Assam’s rich biodiversity.

Also Read: Five missing in Brahmaputra after tragedy at Kharghuli; SDRF, NDRF continue search operations