SNAKES SEIZED IN BENGAL

September 1, 2006

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*BSF seizes 700 snakes at Indo-Bangla border*

*Kolkata, August 25: **IN a unique and significant haul, a BSF patrol party

at Ramnagar BOP in Murshidabad district today seized approximately 700

snakes estimated to be worth US $ 70,000 in the international market. *

*According to reports, the snakes — both poisonous and non-poisonous —were

being smuggled into Bangladesh concealed in apple crates. Challenged by BSF

patrolmen, the poachers reportedly dropped the baskets and fled. *

*[image: Advertisement]* ***The seizure comes close on the heels of a

recently held coordination exercise between Forest department officials and

BSF personnel on wildlife trafficking. The Forest department had organised

training programmes, both theoretical and practical, to sensitise the BSF

patrolmen on cross-border wildlife trafficking. *

*Three such trainings were organised from August 21 to 23 at Kalyani in

Nadia district, and at Krishnagar and Behrampore in Murshidabad district. *

* " The idea was to educate the troops on various aspects of wildlife laws, "

said V K Yadav, the state Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden. " There were also

pointers to help identify illegal consignments and alert them on the ways of

concealments used by these poachers. " *

*Earlier, a large consignment of more than 530 birds of different varieties

had been seized by BSF near Pipli BOP, in Barasat. *

*Today's recovery of snakes is one of the biggest in the world, and Yadav

said a criminal case has also been registered at Lalgola police station in

Murshidabad district under the Wildlife Protection Act. *

* " Snakes are highly valued at the international market for the skins, which

are in demand for accessories like shoes and belts, among other items, "

Yadav said. " Freshwater turtles also make way to Bangladesh, and then on to

the international market in South Asia. " *

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