In a swift and decisive operation, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle exotic wildlife along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Acting on specific intelligence, the troops of Border Outpost (BOP) Amudiya, 143rd Battalion rescued four Chinese Golden Pheasants from wildlife smugglers on the night of 24 September when these smugglers were illegally smuggling these exotic birds from Bangladesh to India.
These Chinese Golden Pheasant is not found in India. The golden pheasant is native to forests in mountainous areas of western China.
According to the information, the BSF intelligence unit gave credible information to the jawans of the border outpost about illegal smuggling of birds from Bangladesh to India, after which an ambush was laid at the suspected place. At about 2035 hrs, BSF personnel observed suspicious movements of two persons near International Border Femce(IBB). On being challenged by the alert troops, both the suspects fled back towards Bangladesh leaving behind plastic bags. After a thorough search of the area, two bags were recovered containing four Golden Pheasant. These birds, victims of illegal wildlife trade, were immediately taken into custody by the BSF.
The rescued birds have been handed over to the Forest Department at Basirhat for further legal action and rehabilitation.
Spokesperson of BSF, South Bengal Frontier said that the timely action of BSF not only prevented smuggling of endangered species but also reflected the force’s continued commitment to combat illegal wildlife trade along India’s borders. This operation highlights the dual responsibility of BSF to safeguard national borders and preserve India’s rich biodiversity by thwarting illegal trade of endangered and exotic wildlife.
