The Andaman and Nicobar Police have arrested nine more Myanmarese poachers from dense forest stretches of North and Middle Andaman, expanding the scope of one of the largest anti-poaching drives in the region in recent years. The arrests, made in the areas of Khaal Gora near Jal Tikrey, Elizabeth Bay, and Talbagan, bring the total number of apprehensions to 23 since the operation began on August 24.
The sustained crackdown has been mounted across nearly 100 sq. km of dense forest, with poachers caught earlier in Nappi Ghope and Loha Tikrey. Police teams from Diglipur, Kalighat and Mayabunder stations, backed by the India Reserve Battalion, Police Marine Force, Anti-Poaching Unit and Local Operating Posts, have been deployed in extensive combing operations. Authorities have described the campaign as the largest coordinated anti-poaching operation of the year in the district, both in scale and intensity.
Earlier phases of the drive led to significant seizures, including two engine-powered dinghies and around 550 kilograms of sea cucumbers, a species strictly banned from trade under Indian law. Officials said the confiscation of boats and marine resources dealt a heavy blow to the logistical backbone of the poachers. The operation also revealed the organised nature of these networks, which have long exploited the vast coastline and dense jungles of the islands to evade detection.
The police reiterated their zero-tolerance stance against poaching, calling it a serious threat to both marine and terrestrial biodiversity in the fragile island ecosystem. Search and combing operations are continuing in remote areas to dismantle any remaining groups. Residents have been urged to report suspicious activity or information on illegal hunting or trade to nearby police stations or helpline numbers. Authorities have assured confidentiality and rewards for informants.
The latest arrests come against the backdrop of persistent ecological threats in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Despite the protections offered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, poaching remains widespread. Geography plays a role: with over 800 scattered islands and an extensive coastline, surveillance is a logistical challenge. This has left the region vulnerable to incursions by foreign vessels, particularly from Myanmar, as well as occasional local involvement driven by economic hardships.
Sea cucumbers have been one of the most targeted species. Highly valued in Southeast Asian markets as both a delicacy and traditional medicine ingredient, their illegal trade offers high profits. However, their removal has severe ecological costs, as these marine animals recycle nutrients and help maintain the balance of the seabed ecosystem. Reports of turtle hunting and the poaching of deer and wild pigs add to the strain on biodiversity already pressured by human activity and climate change.
Experts have long warned that poaching undermines ecological resilience and threatens livelihoods tied to tourism and fisheries. Enforcement agencies, including the Navy and Coast Guard, frequently intercept poaching vessels at sea, while local police target markets selling illegal wildlife products. Courts have issued strong penalties in several cases, but the profitability of the trade continues to fuel demand.
Police said the current drive represents a determined step toward curbing such activities and protecting the islands’ biodiversity. With communities, security agencies, and environmental authorities working in coordination, the campaign aims not just to arrest offenders but to deter future incursions.For a detailed analysis of the ecological consequences of poaching in the islands, readers can explore this report: Poaching remains a persistent threat to Andaman & Nicobar wildlife.
