
On the outskirts of Bengaluru, officials from the Directorate of Revenue (DRI) stopped the illegal trade in elephant tusks and detained seven individuals involved.
On March 5, the police apprehended three individuals inside an autorickshaw and took from them a sizable bag that contained elephant tusks. Four more individuals involved in enabling the unlawful transaction were apprehended after additional investigation.
According to Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, the accused had their 6.8 kg of elephant tusks taken from them, and all seven of them were taken into custody.
The Wildlife Protection Act was recently amended, and as of April 1, 2023, officials said DRI would have more authority to combat unlawful domestic wildlife trafficking.
"DRI units around India successfully seized six elephant tusks, totaling five and a half kilogrammes, in the fiscal year 2023–2024 alone. The DRI claimed in a statement that these operations, which were carried out in Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, "further demonstrate the DRI's unwavering commitment to combat wildlife trafficking."