Two held in Assam over alleged Indian monitor lizard meat trade

Two people have been arrested in Assam's Kokrajhar district for allegedly possessing and trading meat of the protected Indian monitor lizard during a joint operation by the Ultapani Forest Range, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Evergreen Charitable Trust.

Forest officials said the operation was launched following specific intelligence about the illegal hunting and sale of the reptile. Preliminary investigations indicate that Indian monitor lizards may have been hunted and traded for a prolonged period in forest areas between Sikhna Jwhwlao and the Raimona National Park landscape.

During the raid, the joint team recovered meat suspected to be that of an Indian monitor lizard and apprehended two individuals allegedly linked to the wildlife trade. The accused have been handed over to the police and remain in custody while the investigation continues.

The Indian monitor lizard is protected under India's wildlife laws, making the hunting, possession, transportation or trade of the species or its body parts a punishable offence.

Officials said further investigations are underway to identify other people believed to be part of the alleged wildlife trafficking network. Forest authorities said surveillance across the Raimona forest landscape would be intensified and strict action would continue against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.