New Delhi, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : In a significant crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has executed six major operations across India in the past ten days. These operations led to the seizure of two leopard skins, 180 live Indian star tortoises, 12 live tokay geckos, approximately 24 kilograms of pangolin scales, and 500 grams of tiger bones. A total of 13 individuals have been arrested in connection with these activities.
On September 7, DRI officials apprehended a suspect in Jayapur, Koraput district, Odisha, and seized a leopard skin from him. Leopards are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making the trade, sale, purchase, possession, or transport of their skins and body parts illegal. The seized skin and the individual were handed over to the state forest department in Koraput for further investigation and legal action.
On the same day, another operation took place near Gandhi Nagar in Bengaluru, where DRI officials stopped a man and discovered 180 live Indian star tortoises hidden in six clothing covers. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) identified the species as Geochelone elegans, also listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The attractive star-like pattern on the tortoises makes them highly sought after in the exotic pet and wildlife collector markets, prompting illegal capture and international trafficking. The tortoises were seized, and the suspect was arrested.
In a third operation on September 7, DRI officials intercepted a Bolero truck heading toward Mawvati in Meghalaya. A thorough search revealed three carry bags containing 14.68 kilograms of dried pangolin scales. Pangolins are also protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and listed in CITES Appendix I. They are among the most trafficked mammals globally, with their scales sought after for traditional medicine in parts of Asia. The seized scales, the arrested individual, and the vehicle were handed over to the range forest officer in Nongpoh, Meghalaya for necessary action.
Earlier, on September 5-6, DRI officials coordinated with the forest department in Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh, targeting an illegal leopard skin trade network. They arrested four individuals in Sidhi district, recovering a leopard skin from two of them traveling in a Mahindra Thar. Subsequent investigations led to the identification and arrest of two more syndicate members, along with evidence related to the illegal hunting, possession, transport, and proposed sale of leopard skins. The skin and vehicle were confiscated, and the individuals were transferred to the forest department in Sidhi for further action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
On September 5, acting on specific intelligence about illegal wildlife trade, DRI officials stopped two individuals in Keokhali, Assam, seizing 12 live tokay geckos from their possession. Tokay geckos are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and CITES Appendix II. Their trafficking is primarily for traditional medicine, especially in dried form, but they are also in demand as exotic pets. The live geckos were seized, and the individuals were handed over to the range forest officer of the Bishwanath wildlife division in Assam for further action.
In an earlier operation on August 28, DRI officials intercepted three individuals traveling in a vehicle in Karbi Anglong district, resulting in the recovery of approximately 9 kilograms of pangolin scales and about 0.5 kilograms of tiger bones, including skulls and teeth. The seized wildlife items and vehicle were confiscated under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the individuals were transferred to the forest range officer in Bokolia, Assam, for necessary action.
These diverse seizures, ranging from live endangered species to animal skins, pangolin scales, and tiger parts, illustrate the multifaceted nature of wildlife trafficking. They underscore the ongoing need for inter-agency coordination.
The DRI continues to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks through intelligence-driven enforcement in close collaboration with forest departments, WCCB, and other enforcement agencies, working to protect India’s rich biodiversity.
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