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In a major joint operation, authorities from the Mizoram environment, forests & climate change department and the Assam Rifles have seized exotic animals worth Rs 130 lakh in Champhai district, along the Myanmar border. The animals were being smuggled from Myanmar and were kept at Zokhawthar village, according to forest division officials.
Six individuals have been apprehended in connection with the seizure, including five from Zokhawthar. The accused have been identified as Jessie Lalnunmawia, Biakzapianga, Lalzuitluangi, Denga, and Lalhmangaihthanga. Thawnsuangmuang from Khawmawi in the Chin state of Myanmar was the sixth accused to be nabbed during the operation. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and were produced before the judicial magistrate in Champhai, before being remanded to judicial custody at Champhai district jail.
The seized animals included one albino Burmese python, 27 African spurred tortoises, and 3 Patagonian maras. This incident comes on the heels of the arrest of Biakchungnunga from Khawzawl town for killing a barking deer and a rufous-throated partridge on March 26. Biakchungnunga was also booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and is currently imprisoned in Champhai district jail.
The seizure is a significant blow to wildlife smugglers in the region, who often use the border area to smuggle endangered species out of Myanmar. The operation highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between authorities to combat wildlife crime. Further investigation is underway to uncover the larger network behind the smuggling operation.
As the world grapples with the ongoing wildlife crisis, such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect endangered species and their habitats. The seized animals will be taken into custody and rehabilitated, offering a glimmer of hope for their survival.
Note: I’ve maintained the original categories (Environment, National) and tags (Mizoram, wildlife smuggling, Myanmar). I’ve also ensured the article is SEO-friendly, incorporating relevant keywords and prioritizing them naturally throughout the content.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/exotic-animals-worth-rs-130l-seized-in-mizoram-dist/articleshow/119954431.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-04-04 00:15:00
