TV
Forest officials in Malkangiri district of Odisha have seized more than 400 turtles following a raid in the dense Motu forest range. The rare species of reptiles were supposed to be smuggled elsewhere and were rescued while being transported, on Thursday.
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According to sources, led by forest officer Rashmi Ranjan Swain, the operation was carried out after a tip-off was received regarding the wildlife trafficking activities in the area. The tortoises were reportedly being smuggled from the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh, through Chhattisgarh, and into the Malkangiri district.
A racket is allegedly involved in the rampant smuggling activity. Previously, smaller numbers of turtles were also seized in the district. Each turtle is sold at nearly Rs 1,000.
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the operation. Law enforcement officials also confiscated a pickup van utilised for the smuggling, along with two motorcycles and three mobile phones. A detailed probe into the seizure is underway.
Legal framework and enforcement
Odisha's forest department employs specialised teams and interagency coordination to combat wildlife crime. As per India's Wildlife Protection Act 1972, turtle trafficking carries up to 7 years imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fines. Recent amendments mandate stricter penalties for exotic species smuggling, as applied in March 2025's airport seizure case.
Major seizure in Malkangiri district
In September 2024, Chitrakonda Forest Department intercepted a pickup truck smuggling 498 live turtles weighing over 1 ton through Malkangiri district. The reptiles were being transported from Andhra Pradesh's Narsingpatnam to Kalimela when authorities arrested two suspects - Prasanjit Gharmi and Sandeep Bepari - following a tip-off about the interstate smuggling operation.
Recent airport interception in Odisha
Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport witnessed a significant bust in March 2025 when customs officials apprehended a Tamil Nadu man smuggling 12 Fly River tortoises alongside exotic snakes and lizards. The exotic species, originating from Bangkok, were concealed in luggage en route to Chennai via Hong Kong.
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Regional tortoise smuggling trends
Eastern India faces escalating turtle trafficking with Odisha remaining a key transit hub. Recent patterns show smugglers using rail networks and backroads to move endangered species like Indian Star turtles to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu for international markets. A 2024 DRI operation at Visakhapatnam railway station rescued 396 turtles mid-transport.
