New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 440 endangered and protected wild animals along with around 15 kg of ivory and elephant ivory articles in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted across India.
A total of 33 people involved in illegal wildlife trafficking have been arrested.
The nationwide crackdown targeted organised wildlife trafficking networks operating across several states. The operations also led to the recovery of protected wildlife products, including pangolin scales, leopard pelts, seahorse-based articles, and red sanders.
In one operation, DRI officers intercepted a group involved in the illegal trade of elephant ivory near Sujangarh in Rajasthan. About 11 kg of elephant ivory was seized, and four persons were apprehended. They were later handed over to the Forest Department for action under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, according to an official statement.
The Indian elephant is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits trade in elephants and their derivatives. The commercial ivory trade is also banned in India under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the import and export of ivory are prohibited under the Foreign Trade Policy.
In Howrah, DRI officers arrested two persons and seized two ivory idols suspected to have been smuggled into India from Bangladesh.
In another operation in Mysuru, Karnataka, officers recovered 4 kg of elephant ivory and apprehended three persons involved in its illegal trade. The accused and the seized ivory were handed over to the Forest Department for further investigation.
DRI, in a joint operation with the Central Bureau of Investigation and supported by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), busted an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate operating across Maharashtra and West Bengal.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 15 slow lorises, two binturongs, 28 star tortoises, six Egyptian vultures, and two Shikra birds. Six accused were arrested by the CBI, while the investigation is continuing.
DRI also foiled several attempts to smuggle protected wildlife into India through international airports by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Colombo.
The rescued species included albino red-eared turtles, bearded dragons, African spurred tortoises, Borneo pythons, green iguanas, mangrove monitor lizards, Argentine black and white tegus, Goeldi’s marmosets, yellow-cheeked gibbons, Indonesian blue-tongued skinks, siamang gibbons, woolly monkeys, silvery lutungs and ball pythons.
The enforcement agency carried out coordinated operations in Bengaluru, Warangal, Pune, Surat, Chennai, Kolkata, Trichy, Madurai, Srikakulam, Hojai in Assam, Rajasthan, Mysuru, and Howrah. These operations led to the seizure of protected wildlife species and wildlife products, including gibbons, lizards, tortoises, birds, squirrels, snakes, and red sand boas.
The operations were conducted with the support of the CBI, WCCB, Customs Airport Intelligence Units, State Forest Departments, and local police authorities.
DRI said the intelligence-driven operations reflect its continued efforts to curb organised wildlife crime, dismantle transnational trafficking networks and strengthen India’s commitments under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to protect endangered wildlife and biodiversity.
