Pune: Officials of the state forest department recently intercepted an illegal wildlife trade operation, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of prohibited wildlife articles from the Mahatma Phule Mandai market area. The officials seized various illegal items, including porcupine quills , peacock feathers, and monitor lizard genitalia. These items are often sold on the black market due to the superstitious beliefs associated with them.
The joint operation, conducted by the Pune forest division and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), was executed following reliable intelligence received by the officials on Nov 7. The offence was registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The operation was overseen by the chief conservator of forests, Pune, NR Praveen, and the deputy conservator of forests, Mahadev Mohite.
"Smuggling of parts of a monitor lizard is a major problem throughout Maharashtra," said Mohite. "We are keeping a close eye on such activity in the Pune district. We will conduct raids and take necessary action against the culprits," he said.
Mohite said the seized parts of the monitor lizard were sent to a laboratory for testing. They suspect the parts to be counterfeit items made from plastic or other synthetic materials. The male monitor lizard genitalia is often passed off as medicinal plant roots — ‘hatha jodi' — to unknowing customers in the black market.
Meanwhile, the state forest department has urged citizens to report suspicious.