Home / Environment / Protected Tokay Geckos Recovered; Two Arrested in Sonitpur
Protected Tokay Geckos Recovered; Two Arrested in Sonitpur
7 Sep
Summary
- Two suspected smugglers were apprehended with 12 protected tokay geckos.
- The geckos are a Schedule I protected species under the Wildlife Act.
- Assam government reinforces intelligence operations against wildlife trafficking.
Two individuals were apprehended in Sonitpur, Assam, for allegedly possessing 12 tokay geckos, a highly protected species. The operation, conducted on September 5, was a collaborative effort between the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Biswanath Wildlife Division. The tokay gecko, known locally as 'Keko Hap', is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, underscoring its endangered status.
The reptiles were discovered near Jia Bharali Bridge, indicating an attempt to transport them for illegal trade. Following their recovery, the geckos were transferred to the Biswanath Chariali forest range office for care. This seizure is part of a broader initiative by the Assam government to combat wildlife trafficking.
Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah emphasized the importance of coordinated enforcement by central agencies and forest authorities in safeguarding Assam's rich biodiversity. Legal proceedings have commenced under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. This incident follows a previous apprehension on August 21 at Kaziranga National Park, where a man was arrested for alleged involvement in the illegal trade of a tokay gecko, suggesting a potentially larger smuggling network.
