Customs rescue 403 tortoises from two passengers at Tiruchi airport
The officials intercepted the two passengers when they came to the airport to board a Batik Air flight. The officials found 403 live Indian Star tortoises from their trolley bags.
The tortoises and the passengers were later handed over to the Forest Department in Tiruchi to take action against them under the Wildlife Protection Act, a message posted in the X platform of the Trichy Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate said.
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The Hindu
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- The Hindu
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The Hindu
3 hours ago
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For five tribal settlements in Munnar, proper road is a distant dream
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
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Nagpur: Sarpamitras — snake rescue volunteers who risk their lives to protect both reptiles and people — may soon get official identity cards and accident insurance cover of up to ₹10 lakh, with the state govt moving to formally recognise them as essential service providers. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced a proposal to this effect after chairing a high-level meeting at Mantralaya on Wednesday. He said the govt would recommend to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis that sarpamitras be granted 'frontline worker' status under disaster management guidelines. "Sarpamitras play a crucial role in saving lives, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, where snakebite cases are frequent. Their work often puts them at a greater personal risk," Bawankule said. "The govt is positively considering their long-standing demands, including accident insurance, official identification, and institutional recognition," he said. The proposal includes setting up a special online portal to maintain a verified database of registered snake rescuers across the state. Forest department will be tasked with creating a standard operating procedure (SOP) to govern their work, verify credentials through police background checks, and issue official ID cards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The meeting was attended by forest department additional chief secretary Milind Mhaiskar, state wildlife chief conservator M Srinivas Rao, and All India Sarpamitra and Pranimitra Sanghatana president Prof Sambhaji Patil. Bawankule said discussions would soon be held with the chief minister to finalise the accident insurance scheme offering ₹10–15 lakh compensation in case of death or permanent disability while on duty. "These volunteers have been demanding such safeguards for years. Their selfless service deserves institutional respect and financial protection," he said. Wildlife chief Rao, however, reminded that sarpamitras must strictly comply with the Wildlife Protection Act while handling snakes. He added that no rescue work should be carried out without proper training and coordination with the forest department. The forest department has also proposed integrating sarpamitras into the state's official disaster response network, recognising their role during monsoons and flood-related emergencies.
