86 ‘leopard claws’ seized from Rohru jewellery shops; 6 held

The action was carried out on Tuesday after the department received specific intelligence inputs about unauthorised possession and sale of wildlife articles. Acting on the tip-off, officials launched ‘Operation Clawing Back’ and conducted simultaneous raids at shops located in the Main Market and Lower Bazaar areas of Rohru.

During the three-hour operation, the Forest Department team recovered over 100 suspected wildlife articles, including claws, teeth and feathers. Five jewellery shop owners and one manager were arrested in connection with the case.

Providing details, N Ravishankar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Rohru, said the department had received information that prohibited wildlife derivatives were being stocked in jewellery shops and were likely intended for use in ornaments for sale.

He said a 45-member team comprising Deputy Rangers, Forest Guards and Van Mitras was constituted to conduct coordinated raids. The suspected wildlife articles were seized on the spot.

The seized items will undergo forensic examination in coordination with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and other forensic laboratories to determine the species involved, the age of the articles and whether they are genuine or counterfeit.

The DFO said a case has been registered under Sections 42A, 44 and 49B of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and further investigation is underway. He added that the crackdown against poaching and illegal wildlife trade would be intensified in the coming days.

Hunting of leopards is strictly prohibited in the country and the species is accorded the highest level of protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.