The forest department of Assam achieved a significant victory on Thursday by thwarting an audacious attempt to smuggle a staggering 500 rare Channa Barca at Dibrugarh Airport. This remarkable move marks one of the largest seizures of exotic fish in recent memory.
The illicit cargo, valued at a whopping Rs 4.5 crore in the international market, was intercepted from two individuals identified as Sridhan Sarkar and Jiten Sarkar, hailing from the Guijan area in Tinsukia district. Their grand plans were disrupted as they were apprehended while attempting to board an Indigo flight destined for Kolkata.
Under intense questioning, the accused, Sridhan Sarkar and Jiten Sarkar, confessed to procuring the fish from various individuals in rural pockets of Tinsukia district, shelling out a hefty Rs 400 per kilogram for the clandestine acquisitions. Their ultimate destination? The lucrative black market in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and Japan.
The sheer rarity of Channa Barca, also known as the Barca snakehead, is reflected in its market value, with a single live specimen commanding a staggering price tag ranging between Rs 75,000 to Rs 80,000 in the Indian market. This exorbitant value adds to the allure of this sought-after species found in the freshwater bodies of Southeast Asia.
Currently undergoing examination by a team of zoologists, as confirmed by DFO BV Sandeep of the Dibrugarh forest range, the seized fish are at the centre of attention due to their unique characteristics and scarcity. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to laud the forest department’s successful seizure operation, underscoring the gravity of this wildlife trafficking attempt.
The Channa Barca, indigenous to the upper Brahmaputra river basin in the northeast and Bangladesh, is locally referred to as Cheng Garaka or Garaka Cheng. Its popularity in the illegal wildlife trade, particularly in the exotic pet market, has made it a prime target for traffickers. The forest department’s swift and decisive action sends a strong message against the illicit trade of endangered species, emphasizing the commitment to safeguarding the region’s rich biodiversity.
