Guwahati: Two suspected smugglers were arrested in Sonitpur after 12 tokay geckos were recovered from their possession, minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said on Saturday.The tokay gecko is a Schedule I protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.According to Baruah, a joint team of the directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) and the crime investigation range of Biswanath Wildlife Division conducted the operation near Jia Bharali Bridge on Sept 5. Acting on intelligence, the team intercepted the suspects and recovered the reptiles, which were allegedly being transported for illegal trade.The 12 geckos, locally known as ‘Keko Hap’, were taken to the range forest officer’s office in Biswanath Chariali and placed under care. The minister said investigators had launched a further probe.Baruah said the operation underscored the importance of coordinated enforcement by central agencies and forest authorities to curb wildlife trafficking and protect Assam’s biodiversity.He said the state govt was strengthening intelligence-based operations and field-level enforcement to prevent illegal wildlife trade.“Legal action has been initiated under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended,” Baruah said.On Aug 21, forest officials at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR) apprehended a man for his alleged involvement in the illegal trade of a tokay gecko. The accused, Rahul Karmakar, was later arrested.KNP&TR Divisional Forest Officer Arun Vignesh said a preliminary investigation had revealed a large network involved in smuggling such rare species.The recoveries have raised concerns over the illegal trade in rare and exotic wildlife.
