A large number of wild animal parts have been seized during raids in Noida, following which a former customs official was arrested.
Taking strong note, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today said those involved in wildlife crimes will not be spared.
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau conducted "wildnet operations" in Noida yesterday and seized parts of wild animals protected under various schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The seized items include 25 hatha jodi, 25 siyar singhi, 24 sea fan, one trochus, six lambis shell, 91 black cowrie, 130 white cowrie and 27 sea-shells. Also, over Rs 18 lakh in cash was seized.
District Forest Officer H V Girish said that during interrogation, the accused revealed that he was an inspector at the customs department but left his job to start astrology business.
The accused used the items for black magic. During the raid, a diary has been seized which contains details of his customer, both Indian and foreign, the official said.
A statement from the environment ministry said a case has been registered under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 under Noida Forest Division of Uttar Pradesh.
"Trading in wildlife articles is the third largest trade in the world. Illegal trade of animal parts and other wildlife crimes are being taken very seriously and such criminals will not be spared at any cost," Vardhan said.
Appreciating the seizure of wildlife items, he termed the operation as "timely and appreciable" intervention and said the 'wildnet operations' were based on monitoring of websites.
Among the seized wildlife articles, 'hatha jodi' is the dried male reproductive organ of Monitor Lizard, covered under Schedule 1 Part II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Siyar Singhi, a part of Jackal covered under Schedule-II Part-II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972.
Indrajal (Sea Fan) Lambis shell and other sea shells seized are covered under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the statement said.
Illegal trade in wild animals parts can lead to imprisonment of three to seven years and a fine of Rs 10,000 for the first offence and imprisonment. Subsequent offences would draw imprisonment of not less than three years and can be extended to seven years, and a fine of Rs 25,000.
Vardhan emphasised that the operation in Noida was carried out in continuation of earlier successful operations in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha.
"Such operations express the Narendra Modi government's seriousness and commitment to fight wildlife crime and these operations will be continued in future," he said.
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