12 Poachers Arrested in Gadchiroli Wildlife Patrol A forest department team in Gadchiroli conducted a jungle patrol in the Alapalli forest range on Sunday evening and detained 12 individuals suspected of poaching. The operation, which followed a tip-off about a group hiding in the forest for illegal hunting activities, resulted in the immediate arrest of all 12 alleged poachers. During the raid, authorities recovered a variety of wildlife body parts, including four Indian giant squirrels, one flying squirrel, one florican, and an owl, along with equipment used for poaching. The arrested individuals are now facing charges under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These legal provisions carry severe penalties for wildlife crimes, including imprisonment and fines. The forest department’s action underscores the ongoing efforts to combat poaching in the region, which has been a persistent issue despite conservation initiatives. The recovery of the wildlife specimens highlights the scale of the illegal activity in the area. The Indian giant squirrel, a critically endangered species, and the florican, a vulnerable bird, are particularly at risk due to habitat loss and poaching. The seizure of these animals and the associated tools used for hunting indicates a coordinated effort by the poachers, which has now been disrupted by the forest team’s intervention. The incident also reflects the challenges faced by conservationists in protecting biodiversity in remote forest areas.#gadchiroli #wildlife_protection_act #alapalli_forest_range #indian_forest_act #indian_giant_squirrel
DRI-Nagpur unit seizes 17kg of pangolin scales in Chhattisgarh The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Nagpur Regional Unit successfully dismantled an inter-state pangolin trafficking syndicate in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, recovering 17kg of pangolin scales. Acting on intelligence, the DRI team, operating under the Mumbai zonal unit, apprehended three individuals involved in the illicit trade on Sunday. The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), a critically endangered species, is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Authorities stated that any trade in pangolins or their body parts is strictly prohibited. The seized scales and the arrested individuals were handed over to the Forest Range Officer in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, for further legal proceedings. This operation marks another significant success for the DRI Nagpur Regional Unit, which has been actively combating wildlife trafficking since 2025. Over the past year, the unit has dismantled multiple syndicates involved in the illegal trade of wildlife products. Notable cases include the seizure of leopard skins from Madhya Pradesh, a tiger cub poaching incident in Seoni, and a pangolin scale racket in Pileru, Andhra Pradesh. These operations highlight the unit’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and disrupting networks that exploit India’s biodiversity. The pangolin trade remains a critical issue globally, as these animals are highly sought after for their scales, which are used in traditional medicine and as luxury items. The Indian pangolin, in particular, faces severe threats due to habitat loss and poaching. Conservationists emphasize that the illegal trade not only endangers the species but also undermines ecological balance.#dri_nagpur #dri_mumbai #jagdalpur_chhattisgarh #forest_range_officer_jagdalpur #wildlife_protection_act
