Tokay gecko seized

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Oct 29: BSF troops deployed at Kasinda, East Khasi Hills district seized a Tokay Gecko lizard from a person on Friday. Tokay Geckos are in great demand in some South East Asian countries for their purported medicil value which has led to an increase in illegal trade of the species, said BSF official. Owing to their small size, they can easily be smuggled in large numbers by poachers who have found an abundant populace of the lizard species in the forests.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) incorporated it under Schedule IV of Protection of Wildlife by a notification issued on December 6, 2013. With this notification, rearing, hunting and trade in Geckos became cognizable offences under the Protection of Wildlife. If apprehended, a fine of upto Rs 10,000 and a prison term of up to three years are the likely punishments.

In another incident, BSF troops deployed at Muktapur, West Jaintia Hills district seized 31 cattle while being smuggled to Bangladesh from India.