Major Wildlife Trade Crackdown in Shimla: 86 Leopard Claws Seized
In a significant operation targeting the illegal wildlife products trade, the forest department in Shimla executed a major crackdown on Tuesday. Acting on specific intelligence, a large team of 45 officials conducted simultaneous raids across six jewelry shops located in the Rohru market of Shimla district.
Extensive Seizure of Protected Animal Parts
The raids resulted in the recovery of a substantial cache of suspected wildlife products. Forest officials confiscated 86 suspected leopard claws, along with five leopard teeth. Additionally, they seized 10 feathers from unidentified bird species and one claw from an unknown animal. All items were immediately seized under Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Arrests and Legal Action
The operation led to the arrest of six shop owners or managers from the targeted jewelry establishments. According to forest officials, these individuals were taken into custody under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. The accused are scheduled to be presented before a magistrate for remand proceedings following mandatory medical examinations.
Authorities revealed that jewelers allegedly use leopard nails and teeth to decorate various items including amulets, lockets, and other jewelry pieces, creating demand for these illegal wildlife products.
Comprehensive Investigation Underway
Forest department officials stated that forensic analysis will be conducted to determine the authenticity, specific species, and age of the seized items. The investigation team emphasized that more time is required for detailed examination, including custodial interrogation of the arrested individuals.
Key investigation objectives include:
- Tracing the supply chains of illegal wildlife products
- Identifying poachers and hunters involved in the trade network
- Checking for potential inter-state or inter-district connections
- Locating a few absconding shop owners where managers were arrested
Operation Details and Team Composition
The raids were conducted by a specialized team comprising deputy rangers, forest guards, and Van Mitras (forest friends). Their coordinated action followed intelligence inputs about illegal wildlife trade activities in the Rohru market area. The simultaneous nature of the operations prevented suspects from alerting each other or hiding evidence.
This crackdown represents one of the more significant enforcement actions against wildlife trade in the Shimla region recently, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat the illegal trade in protected animal parts that threatens endangered species across India.
