Huge quantity of wildlife contrabands seized
New Delhi: In one of the largest seizures in the recent past, 13 leopard pelts, 7 Leopard nails, 2 molars, 2 leopard skulls and leopard bones (4 jaw bones, 140 bone pieces), 8 canines, 38 bear biles, 4 musk pods, 1 musk teeth were seized from Jammu and Kashmir.
Musk deer and Himalayan Black bear are endangered species and poached for musk pods, bear bile, which is used in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM). These poached animals – leopard, bear and musk deer are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. As per the provisions of the Act, poaching of these animals and trading thereby parts is punishable with minimum 3 years of imprisonment extendable up to 7 years.
The seizure could be effected following a joint operation of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), New Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Wildlife Warden and Police on January 29, 2021.
The raids were conducted in Anantnag area of Srinagar valley and Manwal in the Jammu region, which were identified as two epicentres of illegal wildlife poaching and trade by the WCCB, New Delhi. WCCB officers flew in from New Delhi to be part of the joint operation conducted in both these places on January 29.
In the raid in Anantnag, 8 leopard pelts, 38 bear biles, 4 musk pods were seized from one Gul Mohammad Ganie, a resident of Sherpura, Anantnag.
5 Leopard pelts, 7 leopard nails, 8 canines, 2 molars, 2 leopard skulls and leopard bones (04 Jaw bones, 140 bones pieces), 1 musk teeth were seized in Manwal of Jammu region from one Kushal Hussain Bocked, a resident of Kingriyal in Jammu.
Preliminary investigation revealed that both the offenders arrested in two places were partners in the illegal wildlife trade. A case has been registered in police station Anantnag.
Further investigation are on to ascertain for how long they had been involved in this illegal trade, as also quantum, extent and associates of this illegal business. “Efforts are being made to trace the forward and backward linkages of this illegal activity, demand and supply chains and onward traders’ linkages,” the WCCB stated here today.
– global bihari bureau
