Baripada, Feb 6: The Odisha Forest Department has arrested a man for allegedly setting fire in a forest to hunt birds in Mayurbhanj district.

The incident occurred in the Kaliajiani Reserved Forest under the Thakurmunda Range of the Karanjia Forest Division. According to officials, forest personnel noticed suspicious activity while conducting a late-night patrol and managed to apprehend the accused while he was allegedly setting fire in the forest.

The accused has been identified as Rajan Hembram, a resident of Kaliajiani village under Thakurmunda Police Station limits.

During the operation, forest officials recovered a dead Owl and a matchbox from his possession. Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused had set fire in the forest to trap and hunt birds.

Forest officials have taken the accused into custody and launched a further investigation into the incident.