Chandigarh man caught with protected species of turtle
Was caught selling protected Indian Roofed Turtle for Rs 2,000
A local resident has been booked under multiple sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, after he was caught selling a protected Indian Roofed Turtle for Rs 2,000. A complaint against him was lodged by the People For Animals (PFA).
The accused, identified as Lovepreet Dhiman, was found attempting to sell the turtle in the Kajheri area here. Acting on a complaint filed by the local unit of the PFA, the Forest and Wildlife Department referred the matter to the Sector 36 police station, which swiftly registered an FIR against Dhiman.
The FIR has been registered under Sections 9, 39, 40, 48A, 48B, 51 and 57 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which collectively cover illegal hunting, possession, trade and commercial exploitation of protected species. The rescued turtle has been taken into custody by the Wildlife Department.
This turtle species has been listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — the highest tier of legal protection afforded to any species under Indian law. Hunting, possessing or trading in a Schedule I species constitutes a serious cognisable offence, punishable with imprisonment and heavy fines.
Meanwhile, PFA spokesperson Saarthak Jain said the swift registration of the FIR reflected effective inter-agency coordination between the animal rights body, the Forest and Wildlife Department, and the Chandigarh Police, and underscored the importance of public vigilance in reporting wildlife crimes.
The PFA is one of India’s largest animal welfare organisations, led by former Union Minister and animal activist Maneka Sanjay Gandhi as its chairperson.
