Operation Mohua: A Massive Crackdown

On July 10, 2025, India’s Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and state forest forces launched Operation Mohua—a coordinated sweep across multiple states targeting wildlife smuggling and poaching networks.

Scope & Coordination

The operation spanned seven states including West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Assam. It involved over 2,000 personnel from WCCB and state forest departments, backed by support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) drone surveillance teams.

Key Seizures & Arrests

• Live wildlife rescued: 48 pangolins, eight king cobras, 12 otters, 23 turtles and 5 brown langurs.
• Animal parts seized: 65kg ivory, 38kg pangolin scales, 14 leopard skins and multiple bear claws.
• Weapons & gear recovered: 37 firearms, 112 snares/traps, eight cages, six pickup trucks, 12 motorcycles, cash totaling ₹2.4 crore.
• Arrests: 115 individuals, including three alleged kingpins believed to be coordinating cross-border trafficking.

Timeline of Action

• May 2025: Intelligence buildup after uptick in pangolin smuggling.
• Early July: WCCB convened state-level coordination meetings.
• July 10: Launch of ground-and-drone surveillance sweeps.
• July 11: Final day of raids, rescue operations, and arrests concluded.

Notable Highlights

Innovative drone use: DRDO-supplied UAVs provided live aerial monitoring to detect poaching sites in forest corridors.

Interstate network busted: Authorities uncovered a smuggling route that transported pangolin scales from Odisha through Maharashtra to Nepal via land and air.

High-value seizures: Ivory worth ₹18 crore (based on ₹2.7 lakh/kg market rate) and pangolin scales valued around ₹6 crore.

Why It Matters

Operation Mohua demonstrates India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and protecting endangered species—from pangolins and otters to big cats and reptiles. The collaboration between WCCB, DRDO, and state agencies marks a new era of high-tech policing in environmental law enforcement.

Quiz & Trivia Facts

• Operation name: Mohua (after India’s state flower of Jharkhand).
• Species saved: Pangolins, king cobras, otters, turtles, langurs.
• Major contraband: 65 kg ivory, 38 kg pangolin scales.
• Manpower: 2,000+ personnel and drone support.
• Cash seized: ₹2.4 crore.
• Kingpins arrested: 3 alleged masterminds.

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Final Word

Operation Mohua marks a decisive milestone in India’s fight against wildlife trafficking. With major seizures, live rescues, and key arrests, it sets a precedent for future anti-poaching efforts bolstered by cutting-edge technology.

Source: The Week