He was arrested from the area near Halchowk, Swyambhu, while looking for customers who could pay a handsome amount for the Panda skins, one of 100 cm length and another 30 cm. [break]
According to the CIB Police Inspector Rajan Prasad Mainali, Lama had been scouting for customers near Halchowk area since the last few days. However, the police couldn´t nab the customer who, the police said, had offered to buy the skins for Rs 100,000 each, said Inspector Mainali.
“We had planned to nab Lama with the customer but we decided to arrest him sooner fearing that he might escape,” Mainali said.
The police said that Lama has been sent to District Forest Office (DFO), Hattisar for further investigation. Lama told the police that the skins were provided to him by some of his relatives with the promise of commission.
If convicted, Lama faces a prison term of 5 to 15 years and Rs 50,000 to one lakh in fines or both as per the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973.
Red Pandas, who survive on bamboo shoots and leaves, have been declining for various reasons. They are found only in Nepal, China, Bhutan, Burma and Laos. In Nepal, they are found in Langtang, Makalu, Sagarmatha and Rara National Parks as well as in Kanchanjungha and Annapurna Conservation Areas.
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