Six held for Tokay gecko possession in Goalpara

India: Dhupdhora police on Thursday arrested six persons with two Tokay geckos (Gekko gecko), a nocturnal Asian lizard, from Assam-Meghalaya border in Goalpara district. The geckos were found in a bolero vehicle.

The arrested five accused have been identified as Arponsh D Marak of South West Khasi Hills, Preton Marak of North Garo Hills, Monju Marak of East Garo Hills, Phanton C Marak of South West Khasi Hills and  Gretwin Sangma of South Garo Hills and Giyasuddin Ahmed of Nagarbera in Kamrup district.

Goalpara SP Amitabh Sinha said that a case has been registered in this regard at Dhupdhara police station. “They were arrested under Wild Life Protection Act 1972 and under sections 279/120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code,” added the SP.

According to police sources, they were to sell the reptile outside which commands a huge money in the international market. According to sources, buyers are looking for bigger Tokays measuring not less than 35.5cm (14 inches) in length and weighing about 200 gram. Such large specimens are said to fetch more than Rs 20 lakh in the international market. TRAFFIC, an international wildlife trade monitoring network, has expressed concern at the massive increase in trade of geckos and has warned that if the trend continues to mushroom, it could take years to repair the damage currently being inflicted on the gecko population.

(Source: Sentinelassam)