dna report on pangolin poaching jolts state in to action

Taking a serious note of the rising number of pangolin poaching cases, the state government has decided to launch a crackdown on poachers and traffickers.

dna had reported on Saturday how the illegal wildlife trade is thriving in the state. A huge collection of pangolin scales was also seized in Ratnagiri district recently. In July 2015, a huge stash of 44kg pangolin scales was recovered near Chiplun, and in February this year, 12kg scales were recovered from Dapoli. In June, the Ratnagiri police had recovered 750gm of scales from the coastal town.

Forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said, "It is necessary to protect the pangolin. We will take strict action against hunters." He added the government has already taken action to reduce poaching.

He also said that in a workshop to be held in Pune this month, they would look at the possibility of setting up a special squad to tackle poaching, and to amend the laws to ensure that violators received maximum punishment.

Sale of pangolin parts is a lucrative trade, with poachers sourcing body parts such as scales and meat of the scaly ant-eater, one of the most poached animals, and supplying them to traffickers for transport to countries such as China and Vietnam. The poachers take help from local tribals and communities, who know where the reclusive, nocturnal animal could be located. The body parts are used to make traditional Oriental medicines.