New Delhi, July 9 (IANS) Six persons were arrested and 53 protected animals/birds rescued in a joint operation of the CBI and DRI, Mumbai, that exposed a wildlife trafficking racket, an official said on Thursday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and DRI, Mumbai, with support from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Mumbai/Kolkata, recovered 5 Slow Loris, 2 Binturong, 28 Star Tortoises, 6 Egyptian Vultures and 2 Shikra birds, said the statement.

These animals and birds are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of protection in India, said the statement.

The joint action was conducted at multiple locations in Maharashtra and West Bengal, based on specific intelligence developed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, about an interstate crime syndicate involved in the trade of wildlife protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The CBI registered two separate cases on July 7 and 8, and three accused were arrested in Mumbai and three others in Kolkata, the statement said.

The case was registered under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and for Criminal Conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The animals and birds were sourced by the accused from various parts of India for trading. After the initial proceedings, the recovered wildlife was handed over to the forest departments of Maharashtra and West Bengal, respectively, for safe custody and handling, said the statement.

This joint action demonstrates collaboration between the two law enforcement agencies to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks and proactively enforce the Wildlife Protection Act, it said.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act provides for the protection of the country’s wild animals, birds, and plant species to ensure environmental and ecological security. Among other things, the Act lays down restrictions on hunting many animal species. The Act was last amended in the year 2006.

An Amendment bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2013 and referred to a Standing Committee, but it was withdrawn in 2015.

–IANS

rch/dan