Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 10 Apr: In a significant breakthrough against illegal wildlife trafficking in Uttarakhand, Rudraprayag Police have arrested two alleged poachers/smugglers from Chamoli with a leopard skin, thwarting what is believed to be a well-planned attempt to earn lakhs through illegal trade. The arrests were made during a checking drive in the Nagarasu area, once again bringing forth the persistent challenge of wildlife crime in the hills in Uttarakhand.
The arrests were made last evening when a team of the Special Operations Group (SOG), acting under the direction of SP Niharika Tomar and under the supervision of the Circle Officer, was conducting routine checking near the Nagarasu bus stand. The team, led by SOG in-charge Sub-Inspector Ranjeet Khaneda, intercepted a suspicious scooter bearing registration number UK 11 A 8349. Upon being stopped, the two occupants reportedly appeared nervous, prompting the police to carry out a detailed search.
During the search, the police recovered a leopard skin from their possession, leaving the team taken aback. The forest department was immediately informed, and forest officials who reached the spot confirmed that the seized item was indeed the skin of a leopard, locally referred to as “guldar”. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused were planning to transport the skin from the Jyotirmath (Joshimath) area to Haridwar, where it was to be sold for a substantial amount running into lakhs of rupees. It may be reminded here that Haridwar is one of the major hubs of illegal wildlife trade in the state and here even international dealings are reportedly done of wildlife items.
The arrested persons have been identified as Manohar Lal, aged 40, a resident of village Haat in Pipalkoti, Chamoli, and Suresh Lal, aged 35, a resident of village Paini in Jyotirmath, Chamoli. A case has been registered against them at Kotwali Rudraprayag under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including Sections 9, 39, 50, 51 and 52, and they are being produced before the court for further legal proceedings.
In addition, the authorities have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain where the leopard was hunted and whether the accused are part of a larger inter-state wildlife trafficking network. Officials suspect that such illegal activities may have been ongoing for some time. Efforts are also underway to identify other members of the gang and possible links in the chain. The police and forest department are also examining whether the skin was procured locally or sourced from another region.
The arrest comes amid intensified enforcement efforts under “Operation Prahar”, launched to curb criminal activities in the state. Additionally, heightened vigilance is being maintained in view of the forthcoming Char Dham Yatra, with police conducting extensive border and route checking operations. It was during one such intensified checking drive that the SOG team in Rudraprayag achieved this success.
It may be reminded here that wildlife trafficking remains a serious concern in Uttarakhand, which is home to rich biodiversity and several protected species. Leopards, in particular, are frequently targeted by poachers for their skins and body parts, which fetch high prices in illegal markets. Conservationists and enforcement agencies have repeatedly flagged the growing nexus between local poachers and organised trafficking syndicates operating across states. It is also alleged that in some cases, forest officials are also involved.
