Rare Lizards Seized in Assam as Three Men Attempt to Sell Them for Rs 60 Lakh Each
These Rare Lizards Are Native to Limited Areas in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Highlighting the Importance of Conservation Efforts
Assam Police Bust Wildlife Smuggling Ring, Seize 11 Rare Tokay Geckos
Guwahati: In a major crackdown on wildlife smuggling, three people were arrested by the Assam police in Dibrugarh on Friday after 11 tokay gecko lizards were seized from them. Tokay geckos are not allowed to be exported from India as they have been listed as highly endangered species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The smugglers can be sentenced to jail for seven years if they are found guilty.
The arrested suspects are Debashis Dohutia (34), Manash Dohutia (28), and Dipankar Gharphalia (40). Under police questioning, the three men alleged that they had obtained the tokay geckos from Arunachal Pradesh and were trying to sell each lizard for a shocking amount of Rs 60 lakh (about $72,000 USD).
The police action was initiated with a tip-off regarding the continued smuggling of tokay geckos in the Dibrugarh area. In response, a Special Task Force (STF) was set up, which worked in coordination with the Dibrugarh district police and received crucial help from the Wildlife Justice Commission, South Asia Office.
As per a police release, the STF team mounted a tactical operation in the Mohanbari locality and laid a trap outside a local restaurant called Sun Feast Dhaba. The team had identified three suspected smugglers, two of whom came in a white vehicle and one on a bike. Keeping watch over their activities, the STF team moved into action when the car driver stepped out, picked up a red backpack from the vehicle, and went inside the dhaba.
When the suspects were apprehended, the authorities found the tokay geckos hidden in the red backpack.The tokay gecko, characterized by its melodramatic coloration and distinctive calls, occurs primarily in restricted areas all over Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.Since they are scarce, they have become highly prized in the grey market for exotic animals, especially in Southeast Asia.
This crackdown is a strong reminder of the relentless battle against wildlife smuggling and highlights the necessity for more robust conservation efforts to save endangered wildlife in the region. Officials are urging greater vigilance and public vigilance to stop such criminal activity successfully
