Forest Officials Uncover Monitor Lizard Trafficking at Anekal
A collaborative effort between Anekal Range forest officials and Forest Crime Control Wing, under DCF Bengaluru Urban Division’s supervision, led to the capture of three live monitor lizards (Uda-Udumu). They arrested one suspect from Tamil Nadu and seized a moped and mobile phone.
On Tuesday, forest personnel arrested Sovindarajan, aged 42, from Chikkaripuram village in Kurubarapalli Taluk, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. The operation involved officials posing as potential buyers at TVS Cross in Attibele Hobli, Anekal. The accused faces charges under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and appeared before the court.
The Bengal monitor lizard, protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, was recovered alive along with other items, confirmed Anekal DRFO Shivaraju S.
The border region near Anekal and Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district sees substantial wildlife trafficking. In Sikarimedu, a Narikuruvar tribal settlement, traders openly sell lizard meat, skin, oil and blood. Reports suggest some Bengaluru establishments seek this meat. The captured reptiles suffer permanent damage from brutal hunting methods, including restraint with copper wires around their necks and legs.
People hunt these creatures due to unfounded beliefs about their meat providing exceptional strength and their blood serving as an aphrodisiac. Extensive hunting occurs in Tamil Nadu regions, with distribution networks extending to Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Hakki-Pikki community plays a significant role in this illegal trade.
