An anti-poaching operation was launched along the uninhabited western coast of the North Andaman Islands following credible inputs from local fishermen regarding the presence of suspected foreign poachers in the area.
According to official sources, the information was received on December 1, 2025, alerting authorities to suspicious movement near ecologically sensitive and uninhabited island stretches. Acting on the inputs, multiple anti-poaching teams were mobilised from different police stations and outposts across North and Middle Andaman, along with personnel from reserve battalions and home guard units, to conduct coordinated operations in the region.
The operation, code-named Coral Shield, involved sustained patrolling and extensive search efforts across a wide maritime and island stretch along the western coastline. Security teams covered island interiors as well as adjoining sea routes to track the movement of suspected intruders believed to be involved in illegal harvesting of protected marine species.
During the course of the operation, an engine-powered dinghy was intercepted near the coastal area under Kalighat police jurisdiction. A significant quantity of sea cucumber, a protected marine species, along with survival-related materials, was recovered from the vessel. Individuals found onboard were taken into custody for further investigation.
Following the interception, it emerged that other suspected poachers had fled into dense forest areas of the islands. In response, a prolonged jungle search operation was initiated, involving systematic combing of forested terrain and coastal belts. The search continued over several days, with teams relying on ground-level intelligence and support from the local fishing community, who remained in close coordination with authorities.
Subsequent operations led to additional apprehensions from different coastal and forest locations within North Andaman over the following weeks. The searches were carried out across challenging terrain, marked by thick forests, limited access routes, and difficult weather conditions. Authorities stated that the operation was conducted as part of routine enforcement against illegal poaching and unauthorised foreign intrusion into Indian territorial waters.
Over the course of the current year, enforcement agencies in North and Middle Andaman have reported multiple recoveries of sea cucumber and seizures of dinghies used for illegal marine harvesting. Sea cucumber is protected under wildlife and fisheries regulations due to its ecological importance and vulnerability to overexploitation.
Officials said the ongoing drive forms part of a broader maritime surveillance and coastal protection initiative aimed at preventing illegal fishing, safeguarding marine biodiversity, and maintaining security across uninhabited and sensitive island regions.
Members of the fishing community have been urged to continue reporting suspicious activities in coastal and offshore areas. Authorities reiterated that such information plays a crucial role in monitoring remote regions and responding promptly to illegal activities affecting marine ecosystems and territorial security.
Investigations related to the seized materials and apprehended individuals are ongoing under relevant legal provisions.
