Mayurbhanj, April 3 -- The Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Baripada, has convicted 11 individuals involved in the poaching of a tusker elephant in the Similipal Tiger Reserve.

The accused have been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment each, along with a fine of Rs 25,000. This landmark judgment underscores the strong commitment of forest officials and enforcement agencies in safeguarding the rich biodiversity of one of India's premier tiger reserves.

The case pertains to the illegal hunting of a tusker within the protected boundaries of Similipal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its majestic elephants, royal Bengal tigers, including the rare melanistic black tigers and diverse flora and fauna.

The convi...