Shillong, August 4: The Meghalaya Forest Department has seized four elephant tusks and suspected pangolin scales in two intelligence-led operations conducted in Ri Bhoi district, leading to the arrest of four persons. The operations were carried out by the Nongpoh Wildlife Range under the Khasi Hills Wildlife Division as part of the department’s continuing crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
In the first operation on July 18, forest officials acted on specific intelligence received from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau regarding suspected illegal wildlife trade along the Nongpoh–Umden Road. A wildlife enforcement team intercepted two suspects at Umwang Road and recovered four elephant tusks, suspected to be from Asiatic elephants, during a search.
The two accused, identified as Tras Khymdeit and Wilshon Khymdeit, both residents of Ri Bhoi district, were apprehended on the spot. The wildlife articles were seized and a case was registered at the Nongpoh Wildlife Range under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
In a separate operation at Shakhoikuna village on August 2, the forest team intercepted three suspected individuals and recovered two polythene bags containing wildlife articles suspected to be pangolin scales. Two persons, identified as Benedick Khymdeit of Ri Bhoi district and Rupai Ingti of Kamrup district in Assam, were apprehended, while another suspect managed to escape. The suspected pangolin scales were seized and a separate case was registered at the Nongpoh Wildlife Range. Investigations into both cases are underway.
The Forest Department said elephants and pangolins are among India’s most protected wildlife species and warned that illegal trade in wildlife and its derivatives poses a serious threat to biodiversity and the country’s natural heritage.
The department appealed to the public to report information concerning illegal hunting, possession, transportation or trade in wildlife and wildlife articles to the nearest forest office.
