MP:on line trading of wildlife animals unearthed

The MP state forest department has  unearthed a deep rooted racket of illegal trade and trafficking of body parts of wildlife animals via misuse of online platform You-Tube.The state has busted an inter state gang which was operating in MP, Rajasthan and Telangana.

The Wildlife unit of the Forest department got a clue  about alleged smuggling of Pangolin’s scale (mammal) and elephant tusk by organized gang of criminals in large scale across India including Madhya Pradesh. These Pangolins  are in demand for variety of reasons including use in traditional medicine, folk remedies and meat delicacy. On a tip off STF (wildlife) arrested accused Sher Singh Dhakad from Sheopur, along with Pangolin scale in July this year and produced in special court at Sagar (STF wildlife) and granted 3 days forest remand. During interrogation he is believed to have disclosed vital links and their modus operandi. Another accused Wakil Mongia of  Dholpur, Rajasthan was arrested and sent to special jail at Sagar. The bail application of duo accused was denied by CJM and DJ court, Sagar and the matter is under subjudication.

In addition a kingpin Indrajeet Parihar, a resident of Katangi (Balaghat) in MP was nabbed by STF (wildlife) for trafficking of live Pangolin via You Tube video in July 2020. Accused J Bhadrachalam of  Telangana state was also arrested with the help of the state forest department in July. In another raid one accused identified as Rohit Bislawat from  Ujjain was arrested with booty of elephant tusk embedded ornaments recovered from his possession on August 10 this year.There was no letup by the forest department which conducted thorough investigation including cyber, series of raids and arrest etc thereof. However their relentless pursuit to reach to the bottom of pyramid seems to have fallen flat amid non-cooperation by You-Tube which has expressed inability to remove video from its platform containing alleged trade /trafficking material of wildlife animals and their body-parts or divulge on any information about Users’ citing company’s policy. A helpless state forest department is believed to have been exploring all possible options, though remedy left is only legal recourse.MP Forest department says You-Tube is set to face legal consequence in matter relating to violation of wildlife animal protection act.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest(APCCF) J S Chauhan said we are exploring all possible avenues including legal recourse. Earlier on the basis of credible information available with us the notice was served to You Tube for compliance including removal of videos, but in vain. So now the legal opinion is being sought to send fresh notice to You Tube again. There is common pattern in all three cases, it’s not a standalone case. We will ask them to remove the video else the department will initiate legal action against You Tube, Chauhan said. The department will take the help of Govt of India in  this case, said Chauhan. Earlier in another matter the union government had banned BBC for five years for airing bogus/dubious short films on Kaziranga National Park.

  Pangolin including Indian Pangolin (8 species) are mammals but often mistaken as reptiles. They are wholly covered in scales and they use it to protect themselves from predators. They survive on ant, termites and larvae. Pangolins don’t have teeth and pick up food with sticky tongue. Indian Pangolins are also called thick tailed Pangolin and scaly anteater. It can also curl into a ball as self defense against predators such as tiger etc. They are nocturnal creatures and protected and listed as schedule 1 under Wildlife(Protection)Act-1972.