The illegal wildlife trade is emerging as one of the most critical environmental crises in Northeast India, with its deep connections to drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking. Among the many species falling victim to this crisis, pangolins—specifically the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)—are facing an alarming decline in Assam and across the region.
Despite being protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2022) and listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List, pangolins continue to be poached extensively for their scales and meat, fueling the illegal wildlife trade.
Pangolins: The World’s Most Trafficked Mammal
Pangolins are shy, nocturnal creatures that play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling ant and termite populations. However, their scales are falsely believed to have medicinal properties in some Asian countries, making them a prime target for illegal trade.
According to Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, Secretary General and CEO of Aaranyak, pangolins are being pushed to the brink of extinction despite their legal protection. He highlights that between 2018 and 2022, India recorded 342 pangolin trafficking incidents, involving over 1,200 individuals.
Northeast India: A Hotspot for Pangolin Trafficking
Northeast India has become a key transit route for pangolin trafficking, with major seizures reported in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. Wildlife crime in the region is often linked to international smuggling networks, making enforcement more challenging.
According to Dr. Jimmy Borah, Senior Manager at Aaranyak’s Legal and Advocacy Division, multiple poachers and traders have been arrested in recent crackdowns, yet the illegal trade persists due to high demand and lucrative financial incentives.
Socio-Economic Drivers of Pangolin Poaching
Research suggests that local hunters across Northeast India are actively involved in pangolin hunting and trade.
As Ivy Farheen Hussain, Senior Project Officer at Aaranyak, explains: “The scales from a single pangolin can equate to about four months’ income for local hunters, making poaching an attractive option driven by external demand.”
The involvement of impoverished communities in pangolin hunting highlights the urgent need for alternative livelihood programs to reduce dependence on illegal wildlife trade.
Conservation Efforts by Aaranyak
Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organization in Northeast India, is at the forefront of efforts to combat pangolin trafficking through its Legal and Advocacy Division. The organization has launched multi-pronged initiatives to address this crisis:
1. Sensitization & Capacity Building
- Aaranyak collaborates with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and other law enforcement agencies to train personnel on tackling wildlife crime.
- These training sessions focus on identifying illegal pangolin trade networks and strengthening border vigilance.
2. Community Surveillance & Monitoring
- The formation of Community Surveillance and Monitoring Teams (CSMTs) has empowered locals to act as the first line of defense against poaching.
- These teams work closely with forest officials to report suspicious activities and wildlife crime incidents.
3. Strengthening Legal & Policy Advocacy
- Aaranyak assists law enforcement agencies in wildlife crime investigations and legal proceedings.
- Their efforts aim to ensure stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and secure stronger convictions against traffickers.
4. D.E.T.E.R.S.: Disrupting the Illegal Wildlife Trade
Aaranyak’s D.E.T.E.R.S. (Disrupt and End Trade of Endangered and Rare Species) initiative has been instrumental in dismantling pangolin trafficking networks.
- It equips CSMTs and law enforcement agencies with real-time intelligence and digital surveillance tools to track illegal trade operations.
- The initiative has significantly enhanced efforts to combat wildlife crime in Northeast India.
A Call to Action: Protecting Pangolins Before It’s Too Late
The fate of pangolins in Northeast India hangs by a thread. Urgent action is required to curb illegal poaching and trade, including:
- Strengthening enforcement mechanisms through enhanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing.
- Educating local communities on the ecological importance of pangolins and offering alternative income sources to reduce dependency on poaching.
- Encouraging international cooperation to dismantle transnational wildlife crime syndicates.
- Raising awareness among policymakers to ensure stricter penalties and faster legal action against traffickers.
A New Discovery: The Indo-Burmese Pangolin
Amidst this grim scenario, there is a glimmer of hope—the recent discovery of the Indo-Burmese Pangolin in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in early 2023. This discovery underscores the rich biodiversity of the region and the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this newly identified species from falling prey to illegal trade.
The battle against pangolin trafficking in Northeast India is far from over. While major strides have been made in law enforcement, community involvement, and policy advocacy, wildlife crime syndicates continue to operate. The work done by Aaranyak and its partners highlights that a collaborative approach involving government agencies, conservation organizations, and local communities is the key to saving pangolins from extinction.
If immediate and stringent actions are not taken, we risk losing these remarkable creatures forever. By raising awareness, implementing stronger enforcement strategies, and promoting sustainable livelihoods, we can work towards securing the future of pangolins in Northeast India.
