GUWAHATI, Oct 11 - In a sensational development, a huge cache of snake and lizard specimens including species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act was seized in a joint operation by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Forest Department from the residence of herpetologist Dr Jayaditya Purkayastha on Saturday night.
Dr Purkayastha is a well-known researcher working on reptiles.
A WCCB official told The Assam Tribune that prima facie, the documents produced by Dr Purkayastha in his support were not accepted as valid permit by the investigating agencies.
�Both the Forest Department and WCCB have registered a case and will continue further investigation. There could be a larger racket of animal body part smuggling,� he said.
The official added that the matter came to light when a person carrying reptile specimens was apprehended at the LGBI Airport on Saturday and during his interrogation, he admitted that he was carrying the samples from Dr Purkayastha.
�A raid was conducted at Dr Purkayastha�s house around 10 pm and a large quantity of specimen of snakes and lizards was seized. There were live reptiles as well, including a Burmese python and cobras. He could not explain his possession with valid documents,� he said.
GUWAHATI, Oct 11 - In a sensational development, a huge cache of snake and lizard specimens including species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act was seized in a joint operation by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Forest Department from the residence of herpetologist Dr Jayaditya Purkayastha on Saturday night.
Dr Purkayastha is a well-known researcher working on reptiles.
A WCCB official told The Assam Tribune that prima facie, the documents produced by Dr Purkayastha in his support were not accepted as valid permit by the investigating agencies.
�Both the Forest Department and WCCB have registered a case and will continue further investigation. There could be a larger racket of animal body part smuggling,� he said.
The official added that the matter came to light when a person carrying reptile specimens was apprehended at the LGBI Airport on Saturday and during his interrogation, he admitted that he was carrying the samples from Dr Purkayastha.
�A raid was conducted at Dr Purkayastha�s house around 10 pm and a large quantity of specimen of snakes and lizards was seized. There were live reptiles as well, including a Burmese python and cobras. He could not explain his possession with valid documents,� he said.
