A large-scale anti-poaching operation launched by the Andaman and Nicobar Police has resulted in the apprehension of 14 Myanmarese poachers in the dense jungles of Nappi Ghope, North and Middle Andaman district. Acting on credible intelligence inputs, the police mounted the operation on August 24 with teams drawn from Diglipur, Kalighat and Mayabunder police stations, assisted by personnel of Local Operating Posts, India Reserve Battalion, Police Marine Force and the Anti-Poaching Unit. Intensive combing operations were conducted across vulnerable forest and coastal areas to dismantle organised poaching networks.
The operation yielded significant seizures, including two engine-powered dinghies and around 550 kilograms of sea cucumbers, a species banned from trade under Indian law. The confiscation dealt a blow to the logistics and mobility of the poachers, who were exploiting marine wealth in protected waters. Search operations are continuing in remote forest stretches of North and Middle Andaman to eliminate any remaining presence of such groups.
Authorities emphasised that the effort was part of a coordinated security drive involving coastal stakeholders including the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Forest Department and fishermen’s communities. The police reiterated their zero-tolerance stance on illegal poaching, stressing that the fragile marine and forest ecosystems of the islands must be safeguarded against unlawful exploitation. The public has been urged to share any credible information about such activities with local police stations, with assurances of confidentiality and rewards for informers.
The crackdown comes against the backdrop of persistent ecological threats facing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Despite robust laws under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, poaching has remained a stubborn challenge. The geography of the islands, with more than 800 scattered landmasses and vast stretches of coastline, makes surveillance difficult, creating vulnerabilities that poachers exploit. Foreign intrusions, particularly by Myanmarese vessels, have been repeatedly reported, while local involvement persists due to economic hardships.
Species like the sea cucumber have become a prime target, driven by demand in Southeast Asian markets where they are considered a delicacy and used in traditional medicine. Their removal, however, has serious ecological consequences. Sea cucumbers play a critical role in recycling nutrients on the seabed and maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. The poaching of turtles, deer and wild pigs has also been reported, threatening both terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
The ecological costs of poaching have been widely documented, with experts warning that the depletion of such species undermines the resilience of ecosystems already vulnerable to climate change and human activity. Enforcement agencies, including the Navy and Coast Guard, regularly intercept poaching vessels at sea, while police raids target illegal meat markets within the islands. Courts have issued strict sentences in several cases. Yet, the cycle continues, underscoring both the profitability of the trade and the challenges of enforcement.
The latest operation highlights both the scale of the problem and the determination of authorities to tackle it. With tourism, fisheries and community livelihoods heavily dependent on the health of the islands’ ecosystems, the stakes are high. Protecting species such as sea cucumbers is not only about conserving biodiversity but also about preserving the natural heritage that underpins the identity of the islands.For a detailed look at the threats posed by poaching and its ecological consequences in the islands, readers can explore this report: Poaching remains a persistent threat to Andaman & Nicobar wildlife.
