Hidden Wildlife Crime in Hyderabad Markets
Contrary to popular belief that monitor lizard consumption is limited to Southeast Asia, Hyderabad has emerged as a significant hub for this illegal wildlife trade. Investigations reveal that small-scale vendors openly sell monitor lizard meat at Erragada flea market and various suburban locations across Telangana.
This illegal activity carries severe consequences under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, including minimum penalties of ₹25,000 and imprisonment ranging from three to seven years. Despite these strict laws, the trade continues to flourish both within tribal areas and among the general public.
Medicinal Myths Drive Demand
Forest department officials confirm that consumption is primarily driven by deep-rooted beliefs about the lizard's medicinal properties. Many consumers genuinely believe that consuming monitor lizard meat can cure joint pains and bone disorders, creating sustained demand for the protected species.
Animal rights activist Pradeep Parakuth from NGO Animal Warriors explains a critical challenge: "Large sections of people are not aware that monitor lizards are protected species like tigers and wild boars." This awareness gap means even when citizens witness these illegal sales, they rarely report them to authorities.
Poaching Patterns and Declining Populations
Monitor lizards are typically poached near water bodies and rocky terrain rather than deep within forests, making enforcement particularly challenging. Parakuth notes the concerning decline in sightings around previously common habitats like Ameenpur lake, indicating the impact of sustained poaching.
Official records show at least 30 documented poaching incidents involving monitor lizards over the past three years, though activists warn this number significantly underestimates the actual scale of the problem.
Multiple Uses Drive Widespread Poaching
The threat to monitor lizards extends beyond meat consumption. Wildlife conservationists reveal that these creatures are killed for multiple body parts, creating diverse revenue streams for poachers.
Various body parts serve different markets: the penis is sometimes sold as hatha jodhi in tantric practices where it's believed to bring good luck, the blood is considered an aphrodisiac, and the skin is used to make Ghumat, a traditional Goan musical instrument.
Each lizard commands prices between ₹500 to ₹2,000 depending on size and availability, with weekly flea markets in areas like Erragada, Ibrahimpatnam, Kadthal, and Nalsapur serving as primary distribution points.
Enforcement Efforts and Challenges
Telangana chief wildlife warden Shankaran Aiyular confirms that monitor lizards remain a priority species for protection, with regular raids conducted at known hotspots including flea markets and roadside dhabas where the meat is sold.
Adding to conservation challenges, animal rights activists report that monitor lizards are often mistakenly killed by people who confuse them with poisonous Komodo dragons, further endangering the species.
The combination of medicinal myths, multiple uses, and public unawareness creates a perfect storm that continues to threaten monitor lizard populations despite ongoing enforcement efforts and severe legal penalties.
