The Forest Department has arrested 5 persons from Vadodara-Surat highway in connection to buy and sell Common Sand Boa, used for Tantric rituals. The deal was finalised for Rs 42 lakh for the snake.
Vadodara Forest Department is on constant patrolling to stop the poaching of animals. In here based on the information they set a trap near the L&T company and arrested the persons with the snake and eco car.
An inquiry by Forest Department officials revealed that the Common Sand Boa was to be sold and the borrower then worship and use it for economic gain. The Forest Department has registered a case against Arun Khatri and Zakir Hussain Abdul Karim Khatri and Govind Rabari, Chintan Parmar alias Chiko and Dinesh Mochi of Dabhoi for mediating the sale under the Wide Life Protection Act.
RFO Nidhiben said, the GSPCA had received information that snakes were being sold illegally and a team from the forest department had set a trap near the L&T company on the Vadodara-Surat highway. Later they arrested total of 5 persons including 3 persons who went out to sell a Common Sand Boa. The species is protected under Schedule-4.
Notably, the two-sided snake popularly known as the Andhani Chakan has medicinal properties and due to the superstition it is traded and sold. These snakes are also sold for millions for Tantric rituals. Preliminary investigations found resentment among animal lovers for selling in the name of superstition.