'Pangolin' victim of superstition, smuggling of pangolins rises in Northeast

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Pangolins are victims of superstition and the belief that their scales may contain keratin, a chemical found in rhino horns. The smuggling of pangolins from the Northeast is rising even as rhino killing is coming down.

The middlemen in the hill areas engage some people to catch pangolin. The middlemen pay Rs 10,000-15,000 per kg of pangolin scales to the local people. A full-grown pangolin yields 400-500 grams of scales. The middlemen supply pangolin live or dead to smugglers.

This year the WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) has achieved six pangolin seizure cases in Assam. According to sources, WCCB sleuths seized a live pangolin on January 11, 2021, from Khanapara in Guwahati with the help of forest officials. They also arrested two persons in that case.

The very next day, i.e. on January 12, with the help of jawans from the 15th SSB Battalion, the WCCB sleuths seized a pangolin from Kajalgaon in the Chirang district.

On March 18, the WCCB sleuths seized a live pangolin from Gondhmow in the Kamrup district with the help of forest officials, leading to the arrest of four persons.

On April 17, the WCCB sleuths seized five kg of dry pangolin scales from Khanapara and arrested two persons with the help of forest officials.

On July 19, WCCB sleuths seized 12 kg of dry pangolin scales from Bokajan with the help of forest officials, besides arresting two persons.

On August 3, WCCB sleuths seized 5.80 kg of dry Chinese pangolin scales from Lumding with the help of forest officials.

On April 19-20, the sleuths seized four live pangolins and 44.28 kg pangolin scales in Shillong, leading to the arrest of ten persons.

An international pangolin smuggling racket is active in Assam and other northeastern states. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of nature) enlisted Chinese pangolin in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and declared it as vulnerable to critically endangered species.

According to sources, pangolin smuggling is rising fast following the belief that its scales have keratin, like in rhino horns. Pangolin scales are an ingredient in Chinese traditional medicines.

Talking to The Sentinel, veterinary Doctor Minati Das said, "The smuggling of the pangolin is the highest in Asia. There is a superstition that pangolin scales have magical healing power. The animal is a victim of this superstition."

Also Read: Two held with 12 Tokay Gecko & 12.3 kg Pangolin scales in Bokajan

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