Monal crest seized in Chamba

Acting on a tip-off, the Chamba forest authorities seized Monal crest from a car near Bhalatwan on the Chamba-Jot road. The crest was affixed to a Himachali cap worn by the vehicle's occupant. Acting under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the department has confiscated the cap and initiated legal proceedings against the individual.

The seized crest will be sent to the forensic lab of the Wildlife Department in Dehradun for examination. Further action will be determined based on the forensic findings.

The incident occurred on Tuesday when a car traveling from Jot to Chamba was intercepted following a tip-off. A team led by Sunil Kumar, Range Officer (Lower Chamba), set up a checkpoint near Bhalatwan and began inspecting vehicles.

During the search, the crest-adorned cap was discovered in the car’s trunk.

In Himachal Pradesh, displaying the Monal crest on caps or possessing any part of the Monal bird is strictly prohibited. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, individuals found in possession of such items face penalties, including imprisonment ranging from three to seven years and a minimum fine of Rs 10,000.

Retaining the crest or any remains of the Monal bird without authorisation from the Chief Wildlife Warden is considered a legal offense. Public display of the crest, whether at events or as part of traditional attire, is also illegal.

Chamba Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kritagya Kumar confirmed that the crest-adorned cap has been seized, and the individual’s statement has been recorded. A formal notice has been issued to the accused, who has been summoned to the Forest Department office for further inquiry.

The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), also called Impeyan monal and Impeyan pheasant, is a pheasant native to Himalayan forests and shrublands at elevations of 2,100–4,500 m (6,900–14,800 ft). It was Himachal’s state bird till 2007 when it was replaced by Himalayan Tragopan. Though the bird is least concerned in the ICUN red list, its population in Himachal has declined rapidly over the years. Loss of habitat is the largest threat to the Himalayan monal pheasant's survival, besides the hunting of males for their crest of head feathers.