In a major wildlife crime bust, the Forest Department conducted a raid at Shelpem, Duler–Mapusa, and arrested a local resident, Gabriel, for allegedly being in possession of 47 monitor lizard skins and 14 ghumats made from the same.
The raid, carried out following a tip-off, has raised alarm over the continued illegal trade in protected wildlife species. The ghumat, a traditional Goan percussion instrument, is often made using animal skin, and the use of monitor lizard hide is a serious offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as the species is protected.
Forest officials also revealed that Gabriel was previously involved in a similar case nearly 15 years ago, when 960 ghumats made from monitor lizard skin were seized from him.
He is now being booked under relevant sections of the law, and further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the illegal wildlife trade network in the region. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on such practices and urged the public to report any instances of wildlife exploitation.