Malkangiri: The Malkangiri Forest Department has achieved a major success against wildlife trafficking.
Acting on specific intelligence, forest officials seized around 2 kg of pangolin scales and arrested six accused late last night.
Addressing a press conference today, Malkangiri DFO Kiran said the department received information that pangolin scale smuggling was going on in the district.
Following the input, teams from Malkangiri Range and Mathili Range formed a joint team and conducted a raid on the Padmagiri-Pandripani road under Malkangiri Range.
During the operation, the teams seized 352 pangolin scales weighing about 2 kg and three motor vehicles used in the crime. All six accused involved in the illegal trade were arrested from the spot.
Pangolin is a Schedule-I protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022, and its hunting, possession and trade attract stringent legal provisions.
A case of wildlife offence has been registered under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022.Further investigation is underway to identify the source of the scales and other persons involved in the illegal wildlife trade network.
The DFO said the Malkangiri Forest Department is committed to protecting wildlife and will take strict action against illegal hunting and trafficking.
