DRI officers rescue 955 baby Gangetic turtles, apprehend 6 traffickers

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials deployed at various airports across the country, busted a major syndicate involved in the illegal trafficking of vulnerable and near-threatened species and rescued 955 baby ‘Turtles of Ganges’ along with the arrest of six people. This is being considered a major crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade under 'Operation Kachchhap’. A case has been registered in this regard and further investigation is being carried out to ascertain the identities of those involved in this illegal trade with the arrested accused. 

According to the DRI officials, the entire operation was carried out based on intelligence input developed by the officials of the DRI, wherein it was informed that a syndicate is actively involved in the illegal trafficking and trading of Gangetic turtles, some of which are specified as vulnerable and near threatened species under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 

Turtles were rescued in Nagpur, Bhopal and Chennai

Considering the reports of increasing numbers of illegal wildlife trade, and a threat to the wildlife species, the DRI officials are working relentlessly on the intelligence to chalk out an intricate all-India plan to apprehend the offenders at different locations in the country simultaneously and rescue the turtles. 

Working on the plan, the officials made concerted all-India efforts leading to the interception of a total of 6 people and a total recovery of 955 live baby turtles of different species at Nagpur, Bhopal and Chennai on September 30th. During the rescue operation, the species of Gangetic turtles, which were rescued, were found to be Indian tent turtle, Indian flapshell turtle, crown river turtle, black spotted or pond turtle and brown roofed turtle.

During the operation, six people involved in the trafficking of turtles were also apprehended. After the initial seizure, the perpetrators and Gangetic turtles were handed over to the forest department officials of the respective area for further investigation.

An official said that this operation comes in a series of other such crackdowns over the past months, as the DRI continues its resolve to preserve the environment and combat illegal wildlife trafficking. It is also being said that the illegal trade, over exploitation for meat and habitat degradation are major threats to the survival of these species.