Rare sand boa seized in Shravasti, two arrested for wildlife trafficking

A rare sand boa snake was seized from a house in Lalpur Mahri village, Bhhinga, Shravasti district, on Monday in a joint operation by the police and forest department. Two individuals have been booked in connection with the case, officials confirmed.

The operation was initiated after a local resident, Nankane, tipped off the PRV police, alleging that his father, Suresh, and uncle, Mete, had brought the snake from the forest and were planning to sell it in Nepal. Acting on this information, a team led by Sub-Inspector Anurag Singh and Forest Officer Jitendra Kumar Yadav interrogated the accused and recovered the snake based on their statements.

Forest Officer Jitendra Kumar Yadav revealed that the sand boa, known for its high demand in illegal wildlife trade, has an estimated international market value of around ₹1.5 crore. District Forest Officer (DFO) Dhanraj Meena emphasized that strict action would be taken against those involved in smuggling wildlife from forest areas. He also stated that regular monitoring of the forest region is being conducted to curb such activities.

Sand boas are often targeted by traffickers due to myths surrounding their supposed medicinal and spiritual properties, making them highly sought after in black markets. The seizure highlights the ongoing challenges in combating wildlife trafficking in the region. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to protecting biodiversity and cracking down on illegal activities.