Shimla, February 10 The forest department arrested six jewelers on Tuesday after at least 86 suspected leopard claws, five leopard teeth, one claw of an unknown animal, and 10 feathers of unknown birds were found in jewelry shops in Rohru, in the Shimla district, officials said on Tuesday.
According to N. Ravisankar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Rohru, the forest department received information that several wildlife articles were being kept for sale in shops in Rohru.
The forest department launched an operation called "Clawing Back," during which teams consisting of deputy rangers, forest guards, and "Van Mitras" simultaneously searched the premises of six jewelry shops for at least three hours.
During the search, teams found suspected claws and teeth of leopards, along with one claw of an unknown animal and 10 feathers of unknown birds, from the six shops. All the articles were seized by the officials, the DFO said.
A detailed forensic analysis of the articles will be conducted in coordination with the Wildlife Institute of India and other forensic laboratories to identify the animals and the birds, the DFO said.
An investigation has been launched into the matter after registering a case under the relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the official said.
