The Forest Department in Himachal Pradesh arrested three youths on Friday evening for carrying four monitor lizards in the Rajban beat of Paonta Sahib sub division. The accused were intercepted while riding a motorcycle, and officials recovered the protected reptiles from a white plastic sack they were carrying.
How the arrest happened in Paonta Sahib
Forest officials stopped the three local residents around 5 pm during a routine patrol. During the search, they found four monitor lizards inside a plastic sack. The accused were also carrying a Gull Terrier dog and a spear. According to Assistant Conservator of Forests (Paonta Sahib) Aditya Sharma, the Gull Terrier is primarily used for hunting and guarding.
The monitor lizards had visible dog-bite marks, which showed that the Gull Terrier had bitten them. The arrested persons have been identified as Goldie, Gujjar, and Anja.
Why monitor lizards are protected under law
Monitor lizards are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This is the highest level of protection under Indian wildlife law. Animals in this schedule cannot be hunted, trapped, or traded. Possessing or transporting them without permission is a serious offense.
The Forest Department has not yet disclosed what legal action will be taken against the accused, but the case is being processed under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Our Take: Wildlife crime needs stricter enforcement
This arrest shows that wildlife poaching continues in Himachal Pradesh despite legal protections. The use of a trained hunting dog and a spear suggests these were not accidental captures — the accused were likely hunting the lizards deliberately. Monitor lizards play an important role in the ecosystem as predators of insects and small animals. Removing them harms the local environment. In our view, the Forest Department should increase patrols in areas where such crimes are common. Stronger penalties and faster prosecution could deter others from targeting protected species.
