Key Points
Joint Assam Rifles-Forest Dept raid nets 3 Myanmarese smugglers
Seized animals include rare Patagonian Maras and African tortoises
Champhai district emerges as wildlife trafficking hotspot
Myanmar's Chin state fuels cross-border illegal wildlife trade
A defence spokesman said that Assam Rifles troops, along with Forest Department officials acting launched a joint operation at the crossing point four (Robert Kai), in Mizoram's Zokhawthar areas bordering Champhai district.
The security personnel intercepted trafficking of exotic wildlife species and apprehended three Myanmarese while they were crossing from Myanmar into India and carrying concealed containers on Wednesday night.
A spot check conducted in the presence of independent witnesses and forest officials led to the seizure and rescue of three Patagonian Maras, 24 African Spurred Tortoises and one Albino Burmese Python.
The estimated value of the seized wildlife is approximately Rs 1.31 crore, the spokesman said.
The apprehended individuals, identified as Thawngsuangmunh (26), Biakzapiang (26), and Jeecy Lalnunmawia (31), are all Myanmar nationals from Khawmawi.
The rescued wildlife species, along with the apprehended individuals, were handed over to the Forest Department in Champhai for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Assam Rifles remains committed to curbing illegal wildlife trafficking along the Indo-Myanmar border as per extant conservation laws, a defence release said.
Earlier on a number of occasions, the law enforcement agencies recovered exotic wildlife animals smuggled from Myanmar.
Myanmar's Chin state is a hub for smuggling of varied drugs, exotic wildlife animals and many other contrabands through six Mizoram districts -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.
Champhai is a hotspot for the smuggling of diverse drugs, foreign cigarettes, areca nuts, arms and ammunition, and exotic animals and their parts.
The varied drugs mostly come to India from Myanmar through illegal border routes in Mizoram and Manipur, and then are smuggled to other northeastern and Indian states and neighbouring countries, mainly Bangladesh.
Mizoram shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh, respectively.
Comments:
Great work by Assam Rifles and Forest Department! Wildlife trafficking is such a cruel business. Those poor animals must have been terrified 😢 Hope they can be rehabilitated properly.
1.31 crore?! I had no idea exotic animals were this valuable in the black market. This explains why smuggling keeps happening despite the risks. Need harsher punishments for these criminals.
While I appreciate the reporting, I wish the article had more details about what happens to the animals after seizure. Do they go to zoos? Sanctuaries? Back to their native countries? That's the part I'm most curious about.
The border security forces deserve more recognition for this kind of work. Day in and day out they're intercepting drugs, weapons AND wildlife. Respect! 👏
That albino python must be stunning - which is exactly why it was targeted. People need to understand that exotic pets aren't status symbols, they're often products of cruelty. Educate your friends!
I appreciate the article but wish it had more context about why Myanmar is such a hub for this trade. Is it weak enforcement there? Corruption? Understanding root causes could help stop this at the source.
