SHILLONG, April 22: The wildlife wing of the Forest and Environment Department, in collaboration with the police as well as the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), recently made seizures of wildlife products of endangered species listed in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, during two different raids.
According to a statement on Friday, the first raid was made at the house of one Victorious Masharing at Khliehumstem village in Ri Bhoi on April 19 after inputs were received about the alleged involvement of few persons in trafficking of wild animals and wildlife products.
The joint team — led by I Arul Mathuram, DFO, Khasi Hills Wildlife Division —recovered 44.64 kg scales of Chinese Pangolin, four live Chinese Pangolins and 43 Tokay Geckos during search.
“Apart from Masharing, seven other persons, identified as Pynshngianlang Sten, Fieldstar Lyngdoh, Banker Ronghang, Darwin Phangcho, Edison Teron, Klinson Bey and Siparlin Rani, who were present in the house, were also arrested,” the statement said.
It was after this the team confiscated the weighing scale, utensils that were used to keep the live Pangolins, seven mobile phones, Rs 25,500 in cash, one brown colour bag and three vehicles (AS0250127, ML10A9330 and ML10C4056), parked at the residence of Masharing.
“The Tokay Geckos were packed in bamboo pieces in a very inhumane condition. One of the live Pangolins was severely injured and even after providing the best possible care by the department’s veterinarian, it succumbed to the injuries before it could be released in the wild after obtaining permission from the Court,” the statement said, adding, “Victorious Masharing is presently serving in the Assam Rifles”.
The arrested persons, along with the seized wildlife products, were brought to Shillong while investigation is under way to find out other persons involved in the crime.
In another incident, the wildlife wing on April 20 received information that some persons are likely to transport a consignment of elephant tusks through the Patharkhmah-Umling road.
Acting on the inputs, a joint team of the Nongpoh Wildlife Range, Nongpoh Police Station, and the WCCB laid a trap at Umling, and was successful in intercepting two persons, viz. Pyndap Wahlang and Last Sylliang. Two elephant tusks, weighing around 3.3 kg, were recovered from the vehicle (ML10C2505), the duo was plying on.
“On enquiry, both these persons could not produce any documentary evidence to support the lawful possession of these tusks. The team, therefore, seized both these tusks and car along with two mobile phones in possession of these two persons. The team also arrested both Wahlang and Sylliang and brought them to the Nongpoh Wildlife Range along with the seized articles,” the statement said.
According to the statement, at least 90 Chinese Pangolins were slaughtered in order to obtain scales weighing 44.60 kg. Similarly, for the collection of a pair of small-size tusks, a young male elephant was reportedly butchered.
“The Chinese Pangolin (Mainis pantadactyla) and the Indian Elephant (Elephus maximus) are listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and attract the highest level of protection available to a wild animal in India,” the statement said.
‘The Tokay Geckos were packed in bamboo pieces in a very inhumane condition. One of the live Pangolins was severely injured and even after providing the best possible care by the department’s veterinarian, it succumbed to the injuries before it could be released in the wild after obtaining permission from the Court’