Operation Kachchhap:
In a recent operation named “Kachchhap,” the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully rescued nearly a thousand live baby Gangetic turtles, shedding light on the ongoing battle against illegal wildlife trade and the protection of these unique creatures.
- The Ganga river system in India is home to 13 species of turtles, they face various threats from habitat loss, overexploitation, and pollution.
- The operation resulted in the recovery of live baby turtles of different species, such as the Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle, Black Spotted/Pond Turtle, and Brown Roofed Turtle ,some of which are considered vulnerable or near-threatened species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- DRI serves as India’s premier anti-smuggling agency, operating under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, Ministry of Finance. It is responsible for detecting and preventing various forms of smuggling, including illicit wildlife trade.
