THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police is planning to form a wildlife crime division in the wake of increasing organised crimes in forests. In his introductory remarks at the first-ever wildlife symposium for police officers at police headquarters, state police chief Loknath Behera said the proposed wildlife crime division would be under the Crime Branch. He said an action plan to sensitise the police officials and form a joint platform of police and forest officials would be initiated because an organised mafia with international links is involved in wildlife crimes.
Principal chief conservator of forests S.C. Joshi said wildlife crimes could be reduced considerably through joint operations of forest, police, customs and other enforcement agencies. "Wildlife crime is a $23 billion affair globally and the second most lucrative crime in the world now. It has strong nexus with the drug mafia and terrorist gangs,” he said. Senior police and forest officials and crime branch DySPs from all districts participated.
