Guwahati, Sept 6 (PTI): Two suspected smugglers were arrested in Assam’s Sonitpur district with 12 tokay geckos, Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said.
Baruah said a joint team of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and the Crime Investigation Range of Biswanath Wildlife Division launched the operation near Jia Bharali Bridge on September 5 and intercepted the suspected traffickers.
The rescued tokay geckos, locally known as ‘Keko Hap’, were brought to the Range Forest Officer’s office at Biswanath Chariali for further investigation and care, he said. “Assam has strengthened its wildlife protection efforts with a coordinated enforcement operation in Sonitpur district. The operation reflects the strength of coordinated action between enforcement and forest authorities in protecting Assam’s wildlife,” he added. Baruah said the administration is continuing to strengthen intelligence-based interventions and field-level enforcement so that illegal wildlife trade can be identified and stopped before it threatens precious biodiversity.
“Legal action has been initiated under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended. Such enforcement sends a clear message that Assam remains committed to protecting its wildlife and ensuring that vulnerable species remain part of our natural ecosystems rather than being lost to illegal trade,” he said.
