How Did Railway Officials Rescue 790 Live Tortoises and Turtles Under 'Operation Wilep'?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a commendable effort, Railway Protection Force officials rescued 790 live tortoises and turtles during 'Operation Wilep' at Barharwa and Malda Town railway stations. This operation highlights the commitment to curbing wildlife trafficking and ensuring safety in railway operations. Discover how these coordinated efforts protect biodiversity and uphold the integrity of railway security.
Key Takeaways
- 790 live tortoises and turtles rescued during 'Operation Wilep'.
- Operations conducted at Barharwa and Malda Town railway stations.
- Joint inspections led to the recovery of illegal wildlife.
- Detained individuals were handed over to the Forest Department.
- Commitment to curbing illegal wildlife trafficking emphasized.
Malda, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Railway Protection Force of East Central Railway achieved a major milestone under 'Operation Wilep', rescuing 790 live tortoises and turtles through two distinct operations at Barharwa and Malda Town railway stations in West Bengal.
The first operation took place at Barharwa railway station on Friday at approximately 4:00 p.m. An on-duty escort team for Train No. 15734 Bathinda–Balurghat Farakka Express alerted the authorities about suspicious bags being transported in Coach S-01.
In response to this alert, the RPF Post at Barharwa quickly mobilized. Upon the train's arrival at Platform No. 02, the RPF team, assisted by the escorting staff, conducted a thorough inspection of the coach.
During the search, officials recovered 18 bags, among which 16 bags contained 40 live tortoises each, totaling 640 animals. One bag held 21 live tortoises, and another bag contained a single large live tortoise, bringing the total recovered at Barharwa to 662 live tortoises.
One male and two female passengers claimed these tortoises as their own. The three individuals were detained, removed from the train, and the seizure process was completed with witnesses present.
The Forest Department at Sahibganj was notified regarding the recovery for necessary follow-up actions.
A similar operation was executed later that same day at Malda Town railway station. While on escort duty on Train No. 13410 Kiul–Malda Town Intercity Express, RPF personnel observed a woman passenger carrying five unusually heavy backpacks and one jute bag after the train departed New Farakka station.
Upon questioning, the passenger was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the contents of her luggage, prompting RPF personnel to alert the Malda post.
When the train arrived at Malda Town railway station at Platform No. 02 around 10:00 p.m., a joint inspection was carried out by RPF officers and female staff.
This inspection uncovered 128 live turtles hidden inside gunny bags, as confirmed by officials.
All seized tortoises and turtles, along with the detained individuals from both operations, were transferred to the respective Forest Department authorities for further legal action under wildlife protection regulations.
According to officials, these operations were conducted under the guidance of Malda Divisional Railway Manager Manish Kumar Gupta and overseen by Malda RPF Divisional Security Commissioner Ashim Kumar Kullu.
They emphasized that the Railway Protection Force of Eastern Railway's Malda Division is committed to maintaining heightened vigilance to deter illegal activities and ensure safety across the division.
Through these coordinated and intelligence-led operations under 'Operation Wilep', the Railway Protection Force of Malda Division has once again reaffirmed its dedication to combatting illegal wildlife trafficking via the railways, safeguarding the nation's rich biodiversity, and ensuring the security of railway operations and passengers.
Point of View
I find the actions taken by the Railway Protection Force under 'Operation Wilep' to be commendable and crucial. The successful rescue of 790 live tortoises and turtles not only demonstrates a strong commitment to wildlife protection but also highlights the importance of vigilance in maintaining safety on our railways. This operation serves as a reminder of our responsibility to preserve biodiversity.
NationPress
23/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Operation Wilep'?
Operation Wilep is a significant initiative by the Railway Protection Force aimed at combating wildlife trafficking through railway networks.
How many tortoises and turtles were rescued?
A total of 790 live tortoises and turtles were rescued during two separate operations at Barharwa and Malda Town railway stations.
What actions were taken against the detained individuals?
The detained individuals were removed from the train and the seized wildlife was handed over to the Forest Department for further legal proceedings.
Why is wildlife trafficking a concern?
Wildlife trafficking poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystems, and it is illegal under wildlife protection laws.
How does the Railway Protection Force prevent wildlife trafficking?
The Railway Protection Force conducts intelligence-based operations and maintains vigilance to detect and prevent illegal activities on trains.
