Latest news with #SpecialTigerStrikeForce
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Court sentences 4 in turtle smuggling case
Bhopal: A trial court in Narmadapuram district has sentenced four men to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each in a 2023 case involving the smuggling of rare Indian Tent Turtles poached from the Ganga River. The verdict was delivered by Chief Judicial Magistrate Firoz Akhtar in connection with the seizure of 282 turtles—280 alive and 2 dead—found on board the Yeshwantpur Express during a joint raid by the Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on September 30, 2023. The turtles were being illegally transported from Lucknow to Chennai. Two accused, Narottam Sarkar and Swapan Pal from West Bengal, were arrested during the operation. Their interrogation led to the identification of two others—Sugriv (a resident of Ayodhya) and Abhishek alias Raja—who were also found to be involved in the trafficking network. Those arrested had allegedly confessed to capturing turtles from the Ganga and attempting to smuggle them south. Following the seizure, 280 live Indian Tent Turtles were released into the Tawa Dam area, adjacent to the Satpura Tiger Reserve, as part of the rehabilitation process.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
After gharials siezure, MP forest force plans cross-border crackdown
Bhopal: Following the seizure of 66 endangered aquatic species from an illegal wildlife trafficking ring, Madhya Pradesh's Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) is preparing for coordinated cross-border operations to dismantle the broader network behind the trade. Investigations reveal that baby gharials poached from the National Chambal Sanctuary were being trafficked toward Southeast Asian markets via Dakka port in Bangladesh, a suspected key transit hub. While local poachers were paid modest sums for each capture, sources say international buyers were offering thousands of dollars per consignment. The rescued animals—including baby gharials and turtles, both protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act—have been quarantined at the Deori Gharial Conservation Centre. On Monday, the STSF team from Shivpuri formally handed them over to the centre's in-charge, after completing the required documentation. The STSF also took the three arrested suspects to Shivpuri for questioning. Officials believe these individuals are linked to a wider transnational smuggling network, and further arrests are likely. Interestingly, while the STSF had been tracking the smugglers for weeks, Morena Forest Department officials appeared uninformed. With growing evidence of international links, the STSF is now reportedly coordinating with central agencies for a broader crackdown on the wildlife trafficking network.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
MPSTF rescues 39 baby ghariyals being transported to B'desh, arrests 3
Bhopal: In a major breakthrough against illegal wildlife trafficking, Madhya Pradesh's Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) has busted an international smuggling racket and rescued a consignment of endangered aquatic species, including 30 baby gharials, that were allegedly being smuggled to Bangladesh through a cross-border network. Acting on specific information, STSF teams from Bhopal and Shivpuri intercepted a Hyundai car on the Sabalgarh–Morena road near Jora on the evening of July 12. Inside the vehicle, officials discovered 30 baby gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) and 14 red-crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga), all protected under Schedule I of India's Wildlife Protection Act. The reptiles were contained in improvised containers and being transported in violation of national and international wildlife laws. The three occupants of the car were apprehended at the scene. The arrested individuals were identified as Raju Adivasi, son of Jagdish, resident of Mauranipur in Uttar Pradesh; Vijay Gaur, son of Shashikant Gaur, resident of Barrack Quarter in Thatipur, Gwalior; and Ramveer Singh, son of Shiv Singh Baghel, a resident of Surya Vihar Colony, Pintu Park, Gwalior. All three men have previous records of wildlife crimes and are believed to be part of a larger network involving local poachers, transport agents, and international buyers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Following their interrogation, the STSF conducted a subsequent raid in Gwalior in the early hours of July 13, recovering three additional red-crowned roofed turtles and 19 three-striped roofed turtles (Batagur dhongoka). In total, 66 live animals were seized from the accused in a two-phase operation. A forest crime case (No. 237/20, dated July 12, 2025) was filed by the STSF Shivpuri unit. Local police and the Morena Forest Division assisted in the operation. The accused were presented before the forest court in Shivpuri and have been remanded into custody for further interrogation. Preliminary investigations reveal that the animals were poached from the National Chambal Sanctuary, a protected riverine ecosystem spanning parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The reptiles were reportedly being smuggled to Bangladesh and distributed further into illegal wildlife markets across Southeast Asia. Officials stated that the rescued species are highly desired in foreign markets, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia, where they are used for the exotic pet trade and traditional medicine. "This case isn't just about one vehicle or three suspects. It is part of a structured, transnational wildlife trafficking network that exploits India's endangered species for profit," said a senior officer involved in the operation. All three rescued species — the gharial, red-crowned roofed turtle, and three-striped roofed turtle — are listed as critically endangered or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and are protected under both Indian law and the international CITES convention. The rescued animals are currently undergoing medical evaluation and care by wildlife veterinarians.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Indian Express
Poachers' new target: 30 gharial hatchlings seized in MP, 3 held
The Madhya Pradesh forest department arrested three operators of an international wildlife trade syndicate and seized two consignments of rare aquatic species, including 30 gharial hatchlings, this weekend. This is the first seizure of a major consignment of gharials, a critically-endangered species. The consignments, said sources in MP forest department, were headed for Bangladesh, via Kolkata. Last evening, a team of MP Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) intercepted a car on Sabalgarh–Morena road adjacent to the western boundary of the National Chambal Sanctuary and rescued a consignment of 30 gharial hatchlings and 14 red-crowned roofed turtles, another critically-endangered species. Three occupants of the car — Vijay and Ramveer from Gwalior, MP, and Raju from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh — were arrested. Their interrogation led to a raid at Vijay's Gwalior residence this morning and a second consignment of three red-crowned roofed turtles and 19 critically-endangered three-striped roofed turtles was rescued. After medical examination, all 66 live specimens will be released in the Chambal river. A case has been filed under the Wildlife Act and all three accused, who have prior records of wildlife crime, will remain in forest remand for further interrogation. The seizure brings to light the active presence of international poaching syndicates in the National Chambal Sanctuary, the mainstay of gharials in India. Straddling three states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, this 425-km stretch of the Chambal river also harbours a number of other rare aquatic species high in demand in the international market.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
‘Had they crossed the border, they'd vanish into black markets': MP Tiger Force busts gang smuggling baby gharials, turtles to Bangladesh; 3 arrested
Madhya Pradesh's Special Tiger Strike Force dismantled an international smuggling operation, rescuing endangered aquatic species destined for Bangladesh. The team intercepted a vehicle near Jora, recovering 30 baby gharials and 14 red-crowned roofed turtles. BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh's Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) has busted an international smuggling racket and rescued a consignment of endangered aquatic species, including 30 baby gharials, that were allegedly being trafficked to Bangladesh through a cross-border network. The operation was led by senior wildlife officer Ritesh Sirothia and his team following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering. Acting on specific inputs, STSF teams from Bhopal and Shivpuri intercepted a Hyundai car on the Sabalgarh–Morena road near Jora on the evening of July 12, under the guidance of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Madhya Pradesh. Inside the vehicle, officials found 30 baby gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) and 14 red-crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga), all protected under Schedule I of India's Wildlife Protection Act. The reptiles were packed into makeshift containers and being transported in violation of national and international wildlife laws. The three occupants of the car were arrested on the spot. The arrested individuals have been identified as Raju Adivasi, son of Jagdish, resident of Mauranipur in Uttar Pradesh; Vijay Gaur, son of Shashikant Gaur, resident of Barrack Quarter in Thatipur, Gwalior; and Ramveer Singh, son of Shiv Singh Baghel, a resident of Surya Vihar Colony, Pintu Park, Gwalior. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like So sánh mức trượt giá: Hợp đồng tương lai (CFD) Bitcoin vs Ethereum IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo All three men have prior wildlife crime records and are believed to be part of a larger network involving local poachers, transport agents, and international buyers. Following their interrogation, the STSF launched a follow-up raid in Gwalior in the early hours of July 13, where 3 more red-crowned roofed turtles and 19 three-striped roofed turtles (Batagur dhongoka) were recovered. In total, 66 live animals were seized from the accused in a two-phase operation. A forest crime case (No. 237/20, dated July 12, 2025) was registered by the STSF Shivpuri unit. Local police and the Morena Forest Division assisted in the operation. The accused were produced before the forest court in Shivpuri and have been remanded to custody for further interrogation. Initial investigations indicate that the animals were poached from the National Chambal Sanctuary, a protected riverine ecosystem that spans parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The reptiles were reportedly being smuggled to Bangladesh and routed further into illegal wildlife markets across Southeast Asia. According to officials, the rescued species are highly sought after in foreign markets, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia, where they are used for exotic pet trade and traditional medicine. 'This case isn't just about one vehicle or three suspects. It is part of a structured, transnational wildlife trafficking network that exploits India's endangered species for profit,' said a senior officer involved in the operation. 'Had these animals made it across the border, they would likely have vanished into global black markets.' All three rescued species — the gharial, red-crowned roofed turtle, and three-striped roofed turtle — are listed as critically endangered or vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and are protected under both Indian law and the international CITES convention. These species play a crucial ecological role in maintaining healthy river systems, and their declining populations have raised alarms among conservationists, say officials. The rescued animals are currently undergoing medical evaluation and care by wildlife veterinarians. Once stable, they will be released back into secure stretches of the Chambal River. The case is expected to trigger wider coordination between Indian enforcement agencies and international wildlife crime units, including INTERPOL and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. Forensic analysis of seized mobile devices, communication logs, and transport records is underway, and further arrests are likely as the investigation expands.
