Jagdalpur, 7^th January 2025: 43 kilograms of pangolin scales were recovered as part of a collaborative enforcement operation by the Chhattisgarh State Forest Department, the State Flying Squad and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), in the Jagdalpur District of Chhattisgarh. Three accused have been detained and the team has received further leads from other organised networks of wildlife article trafficking in the state. Both the operations were carried out on the 7^th of January 2025.

Acting on previous leads, the enforcement team was able to detain the accused at his house in Jagdalpur town, and more than 32 kilograms of pangolin scales were recovered from his possession. On further investigations, it was revealed that the pangolin scales had been collected over the years from local villagers and were intended to be sold for profit when market rates became favourable. Data suggests that for every kilogram of scales, one adult Indian pangolin is killed. The amount of scales in his possession hints at the harvesting of between 30-40 pangolins (both adults and juveniles).

Pangolin scale seized in Chitrakoot, Bastar| Photo by Madhumay Mallik/ WTI

A second operation was conducted in Chitrakoot Range, wherein two more accused were detained. About 11 kilograms of pangolin scales were recovered from their possession. Two other members of the gang are absconding and the authorities are investigating the matter.

Yogesh Kumar Ratre, SDO, Chitrakoot Range stated that the Bastar region, which shares its border with Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, has been associated with the trafficking of humans, wildlife and narcotics. He added that specialised strike forces have been established to address these issues, successfully disrupting illegal wildlife crime networks in the region.

The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is listed under Schedule I of India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and is accorded the same degree of protection as the Bengal tiger or the Asian elephant. However, pangolins are also the most trafficked wild mammal in the world. Across India, there is a strong misconception of the pangolin’s alleged healing powers. Pangolin scales are believed to cure joint pains and related ailments. The meat of the pangolin is also consumed by a few local communities and is believed to improve immunity and have aphrodisiac properties.

32 kg of pangolin scales seized in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgrah | Photo by Madhumay Mallik/WTI

According to Mr. Sandeep Kumar Singh, ACF and current in-charge of the State Flying Squad, pangolin scales and their body parts used in black magic by Indigenous communities in Bastar, where recent operations were conducted. He emphasised the need for increased awareness about wildlife among locals, alongside enforcement actions, to ensure the safety of species like pangolins.