CBI takes over probe after spurt in cases regarding the smuggling of sea cucumbers

Bhavatosh Singh
Updated May 16, 2020 | 15:21 IST

In March, the government of Lakshadweep transferred two cases to the CBI. The Economic Offences Unit of the CBI will probe the case. The first case was filed in April. 

Sea cucumbers
Sea cucumbers 

Key Highlights

  • CBI takes over the probe in sea cucumbers smuggling 
  • Sea cucumbers are listed in Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act 
  • Cost of a kilogram of Sea Cucumbers is US $ 3,000 

New Delhi: To end the menace of sea cucumbers smuggling, the Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case under sections of Wildlife (Protection) Act and criminal conspiracy of the Indian Penal Code. 

In March, the government of Lakshadweep transferred two cases to the CBI. The Economic Offences Unit of the CBI will probe the case. The first case was filed in April. 

Sea cucumbers are listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act. Sea cucumbers are marine invertebrates and they live on the seafloor. There is huge demand for both raw and processed sea cucumbers in south-east Asia and China as a delicacy and for traditional medicines. In the international market, a kilogram of sea cucumber is priced at around US $ 3,000 (Rs 2.28 lakh). 

In February, the wildlife department of Lakshadweep received a piece of information from fishermen that a big consignment of sea cucumbers is going to be smuggled from Suheli Cheriyakara island. 

Newly formed Sea Cucumber Task Force of Lakshadweep swung into action and found an isolated thatched shed roof covered with a blue tarpaulin. The area has a very dense vegetation. On searching the area, SCTF found a big pit covered with sand and dried leaves. When they cleaned the area, a big container was found.

"On opening the container, freshly salted and tightly packed sea cucumbers were found. Apart from that preservatives, sea cucumbers hunting hooks, intestine cleaning fluid was also found," said team leader of SCTF, CN Abdul Raheem in his report. 

Sea cucumbers are processed by removing all intestinal parts. Total seizure of sea cucumbers was 852 kg worth Rs 4.6 crore in India. This was one of the biggest seizure of sea cucumbers in recent times.

"The ecological services rendered by these preserved sea cucumbers is lost forever. Nobody knows the ecological damage caused by illegally removing these sea cucumbers can ever be regained in the near future," said the Lakshadweep SCTF in its report. 

Sea cucumbers in the marine environment have the same status of tigers and lions in the land forest as per Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act. "We have registered two cases in past one month. The probe will involve speaking to officials in Lakshadweep and taking the smugglers into custody to understand how big is this racket," said a senior CBI official.

Initial probe suggests locals in Lakshadweep along with smugglers in Sri Lanka are active in illegal hunting of sea cucumbers.

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