Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh): Three persons were arrested by Mandsaur Forest Department on Monday evening in Bhanpura for smuggling Monitor Lizard organs.
Forest Department got information from a source and sent an employee to act as a buyer to catch the smugglers. During the operation, officials found 42 pieces of Monitor Lizard, locally known as Hatha Jodi, one knife and cash from accused persons.
The arrested men were identified as Vijay from Toraniya Nahargarh in Mandsaur and Samarthnath from Hanumantia in Neemuch. After questioning these two, forest officials also arrested Karan alias Dharma Harijan from Kukdeshwar in Neemuch.
District Forest officer Sanjay Raikhere explained that Monitor Lizards are protected animals under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. They are also listed in Appendix 1 of CITES agreement. This means buying, selling or moving this animal or its body parts is against the law.
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The forest department has filed a case against all three accused persons. They are now taking more legal steps in this matter.
Monitor Lizard organs are used in illegal trade because some people believe they have special powers. However, this trade harms wildlife and is strictly banned under Indian law.
