north-bengal-forest-raid-uncovers-ivory-stash-three-held

In a significant breakthrough against illegal wildlife trade, the forest department on Wednesday night foiled an attempt to smuggle valuable animal parts through the forest belt of north Bengal, arresting three poachers and seizing a cache of contraband and firearms.

 

Acting on a tip-off, a special team of forest officials from the Sukhna Range conducted a coordinated raid in the Khelaghar area of Siptiguri, near the Marionbari tea garden under the Kurseong forest division.

 

The operation was led by ranger Deepak Raseli, whose team intercepted three scooters being used to transport the illegal items.

 

The raid led to the recovery of a piece of ivory, five deer antlers, a double-barrelled hunting rifle, and eleven rounds of live ammunition. The arrested suspects were identified as Sanjeev Lama and Parimal Singh from Fulbari in Matigara, and Kumar Pradhan from Shishabari near Milanmore in Pradhannagar.

 

“They were caught red-handed with the illegal items. Lama has a history of wildlife crimes and was previously arrested in 2018 for smuggling wildlife products in Madarihat,” Raseli said.

 

North Bengal Chief Forest Officer (Wildlife), Bhaskar JV, confirmed the development.

 

“The operation was a result of actionable intelligence. We have arrested three individuals involved in illegal wildlife trade. Investigations are underway to determine whether more people are connected to this trafficking network,” he stated.

 

The accused are scheduled to be produced before the Kurseong court on Thursday, where the forest department is expected to seek a seven-day remand for further investigation.

 

Officials suspect a broader poaching syndicate is at work and are attempting to track down additional members.

 

Raseli voiced concern over the rising threat in the region. “We’ve been receiving information for some time now that a poaching ring is reactivating in this region. This raid confirms our concerns and underlines the urgency of tighter monitoring,” he said.

 

The recovery of ivory and deer antlers has alarmed conservation circles, with many expressing concern about the continued demand for illegal wildlife products and the renewed threat to vulnerable species in the region.

 

Conservationists are calling for heightened surveillance, stricter enforcement, and sustained awareness campaigns to curb poaching in the ecologically sensitive forests of north Bengal.