📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Crime
Odisha Forest Minister Announces Tough Crackdown on Orangutan Trafficking
✍️ pragativadi.com
🗓 10 Sep 2026, 09:38 PM
👁 22
The Odisha Forest Minister pledged stringent measures against individuals involved in illegal orangutan trade, signalling heightened enforcement in the state.
Bhubaneswar, Odisha – The state's Forest Minister publicly declared a zero‑tolerance policy towards the illegal trafficking of orangutans, a protected species listed under the Wildlife Protection Act. The minister emphasized that any person caught smuggling, selling or facilitating the trade will face rigorous legal action, including seizure of assets and imprisonment.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns that exotic wildlife, including orangutans, are being moved through illicit networks that exploit India's porous borders. State officials said they will coordinate with central wildlife agencies, customs, and law‑enforcement bodies to strengthen surveillance at entry points and markets.
In addition to punitive measures, the ministry plans to launch awareness campaigns targeting local communities and traders, highlighting the ecological and legal ramifications of wildlife crime. The minister assured that the department will allocate additional resources for rapid response teams to investigate and dismantle trafficking rings.
The statement reflects a broader national effort to curb wildlife trafficking, aligning with recent policy directives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change aimed at protecting endangered species across the country.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns that exotic wildlife, including orangutans, are being moved through illicit networks that exploit India's porous borders. State officials said they will coordinate with central wildlife agencies, customs, and law‑enforcement bodies to strengthen surveillance at entry points and markets.
In addition to punitive measures, the ministry plans to launch awareness campaigns targeting local communities and traders, highlighting the ecological and legal ramifications of wildlife crime. The minister assured that the department will allocate additional resources for rapid response teams to investigate and dismantle trafficking rings.
The statement reflects a broader national effort to curb wildlife trafficking, aligning with recent policy directives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change aimed at protecting endangered species across the country.