GUWAHATI: A man was arrested for illegally possessing and transporting 1.5 kg of pangolin scales, in a case registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
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The accused was first intercepted by police at the Dholakhal Border Outpost (BOP) and later handed over to the Forest department at Dholai, which formally arrested him.
He has been booked under Sections 40, 44, 48 and 49 of the Act. Forest officials said further investigation is on to trace the source of the consignment and the people linked to the trade.
The pangolin is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which gives it the highest level of legal protection, and is a red-listed species on the IUCN list.
Conservationists called the arrest a significant step for wildlife protection in Barak Valley. They said that in recent decades several similar cases have been solved thanks to public awareness and sustained action by the Forest department.
