Bhubaneswar: In a significant crackdown on turtle trafficking, forest department officials have seized 83 live turtles and arrested two persons involved in the illicit trade in Nabarangpur. The turtles were being transported from Ampani in Kalahandi district to Chatiguda village under the Dabugan police station.
The Maidalpur forest team, under the Dabugan range of Nabarangpur district, conducted a surprise raid near Maidalpur based on a tip-off. The accused, identified as Pattada Sarkar (30) and Ram Prasad Sarkar (34), were detained and questioned. The seized turtles and the bike used for transportation were recovered.
Recently, the Forest Department seized 473 rare turtles in Malkangiri district and 1448 Indian Flap Shell Turtles in Khordha district.
