Five monitor lizards rescued from traffickers in Ctg
Three youths were detained in connection with the incident
The Forest Department officials in Chandanaish upazila of Chattogram rescued five monitor lizards during a nighttime raid yesterday (29 June).
Three youths were detained in connection with the incident.
The raid was conducted around 9pm in the Syed Bazar area of Chandanaish by a joint team comprising forest officials, the local administration, and police.
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An indigenous man named Mong Wai Marma was fined Tk10,000 under Section 34(b) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012, for violating wildlife protection laws.
Rahmat Ali, beat officer of the Forest Department's Barama beat under the Patiya range, told The Business Standard, "Acting on a tip-off, we conducted a drive in the Syed Bazar area under Keshua Union of Chandanaish Upazila and rescued five monitor lizards from the possession of three Marma youths with the help of local environmental activists. We also detained the youths who were trying to traffic the lizards after capturing them from a local pond," he said.
"Later, we informed the Chandanaish Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Commissioner (Land), Diplomacy Chakma. Upon receiving the information, the commissioner arrived at the scene, conducted a mobile court, and imposed a fine of Tk10,000 on one of the detained individuals," he added.
The beat officer further stated that the lizards were released into the forest later that night after providing preliminary care.
