BANKE, July 11: Three people were arrested from a hotel in Pushpalal Chowk in Nepalgunj Sub Metropolitan City-1 with the hide of a red panda, a protected wildlife, and items similar to bear bile.
The detainees have been identified to be 49-year-old Bhakta Bahadur Pun and 41-year-old Keshav Pun from Ghorahi Sub Metropolitan City-4 of Dang along with 29-year-old Robin Budha of Shantinagar Rural Municipality-1.
Man arrested with Red Panda hide
An investigation team from the Lumbini Provincial Police Office and the district police office arrested the three individuals after receiving information about the trade of the animal’s hide. The police recovered a red panda hide and four items which looked similar to bear biles.
The three culprits are liable to a fine of Rs 500,000 to Rs 1 million and five to fifteen years of imprisonment or both punishments under the Section 49 of the National Forest Act 2076 and Section 26 of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029.
