The Indian Star Tortoise is a protected species under Schedule 1 of The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The accused was produced before a local court, which sent him in forest custody for three days
The accused with the seized tortoise.
Following intelligence from a joint team of animal welfare organisations — OIPA, ACF, and PAWS-Mumbai — the Maharashtra Forest Department's Range Forest Officer (Wildlife) raided a home at Grant Road in Mumbai and seized an Indian Star Tortoise (scientific name Geochelone elegans). The forest officer has arrested 57-year-old Vinay Ishwarlal Vaghela in this regard.
As the Indian Star Tortoise is a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Vaghela was booked under Sections 9, 39, 48, 49, and 51 of the Act. He was produced before the court, which ordered three days of forest custody.
The raid was conducted by Shilpa Shigwan, Range Forest Officer (Wildlife), Mumbai; Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Honorary Wildlife Warden (Mumbai); Round Officer Sanjay Giri; Forest Guard Rakesh Patil; and staff under the guidance of Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Thane Akshay Gajbhiye, and Assistant Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Manohar Divekar.
"We are further investigating the case," said Shigwan.
"Citizens should report on illegal captivity, trade, or poaching of wildlife in their vicinity to the nearest Forest Office or to NGOs working to control wildlife trafficking. The identity of the informer will be kept confidential," said Kunju.
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