Leopard Skin Traffickers Jailed: Jaldapara DFO Warns Poachers of Harsh Sentences

• Three individuals sentenced to 5 years rigorous imprisonment and ₹50,000 fine each for leopard skin trafficking in Alipurduar.
• The Chief Judicial Magistrate delivered the verdict in a case filed by Jaldapara National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• DFO Parveen Kaswan warned traffickers, stating 13 people have received severe sentences in the last three months due to strong evidence.
• Tapas Barman and Dipankar Mondal were arrested on May 22, 2024, with a leopard skin; Bhupen Barman was arrested later, leading to discovery of more skins and bones.
• The accused, Tapas Barman, Dipankar Mondal, and Bhupen Barman, plan to appeal the verdict in a higher court.

Why It Matters: Jaldapara National Park intensifies crackdown on wildlife trafficking, securing harsh sentences for offenders.