Poaching, smuggling push golden gecko to brink of survival

Poaching, smuggling push golden gecko to brink of survival

PARADIP: THE golden gecko found in Bhitarkanika is feared to be close to extinction, thanks to increasing human interference with nature. Poaching and smuggling of rare species pose a threat to their existence.

The reptiles which were found in large number in different areas of Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts are now a rare sight.

The golden geckos are an endangered species and come under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Trading or killing them is a punishable crime. Despite stringent restrictions, poaching and smuggling of golden geckos are rampant in the two districts.

The shrinking green cover in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in Kendrapara district too has challenged the survival of the golden gecko.

Recently, the forest officials of Kujang recovered two golden geckos from Udyabata under Paradip Lock police limits and Pankapal under Kujang police limits.

The poachers eye golden geckos for its high value in the national and international market. A golden gecko grows up to 40 cm in length and weighs upto 200 gm. The reptiles are in great demand in some Asian countries for their medicinal values.

Some communities in countries like China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan believe that golden gecko can heal diseases like cancer, HIV, impotency and diabetes.

Thanks to its demand, many have begun keeping the rare reptile at home. There have been reports of poor people being given baby geckos by smugglers for growing them in a clandestine manner. Once the lizards grow up, they are taken back by the smugglers who pay the villagers a handsome amount for raising them.

The grown up geckos are sold to mafia and smugglers who, in turn sell those in national and international markets at `10,000 to `25,000. Kujang police accompanied by forest officials recovered a golden gecko in Pankapal.

Another golden gecko was found from Udayabata under Paradip Lock police limits. Forest Ranger, Kujang, Pratap Chandra Mohanty said, on a tip-off that some people were trading in wildlife parts in different areas of Paradip and areas under Kujang police limits, a team rushed to the spot and recovered two rare golden geckos.

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The New Indian Express
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