DRI cracks down on wildlife trafficking in Andhra Pradesh, seizes endangered corals; 3 arrested

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Hyderabad zonal unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) nabbed three persons in Andhra Pradesh for their involvement in wildlife trafficking in two separate incidents.
The DRI officials recovered 9.8 kg of dead black corals (Antipatharia, and Indrajaal in local parlance), 0.286 kg of dead soft corals (Alcyonacea, and Mahendrajaal in local parlance), and six Trapezium Horse Conches (Pleuroploca Trapezium) from the possession of the two persons at Srisailam on December 30.
Black corals and soft corals are listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and are thereby provided the highest degree of protection, whereas the Trapezium Horse Conch is listed in Schedule-II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

It was revealed that the supplier of the wildlife articles is based out of a coastal town, Ongole, in Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh. In a swift follow-up action, a team of officers from the Vijayawada Regional Unit of the DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit apprehended the supplier and seized dead black corals weighing 6.64 kg on December 31.
Soft and black corals are marine invertebrates, which are rare and endangered animals that are vital parts of coral reef systems. Removing them would destroy the entire habitat in the region as they provide shelter to other creatures and are also part of the food chain for various species of fish.
There are no medical reasons or problem-solving benefits associated with them. These dead soft corals (locally called Mahendrajaal) and dead black corals (locally called Indrajaal) are primarily sold for framing and display in homes to attract good luck.
The three persons, along with the seized wildlife articles and the vehicles, were handed over to the Forest Department officials of Andhra Pradesh for further investigation under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.