The Manas Tiger Reserve (MTR) has secured its 11th wildlife crime conviction, marking another significant achievement in the fight against wildlife trafficking and strengthening legal enforcement in the region.
On August 19, 2026, a designated court sentenced an accused involved in the illegal trade of elephant tusks to two years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10,000. In default of payment, the accused will undergo an additional three months of simple imprisonment.
The conviction is the 11th secured in cases connected with MTR since 2017 and marks the outcome of more than a decade of coordinated efforts that began in 2011 under the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
According to Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the initiative focused on strengthening the capacity of frontline forest personnel through training in wildlife crime investigation, evidence collection and preparation of wildlife offence reports in accordance with relevant laws and rules.
Sanatan Deka, Senior Manager and Project Head, WTI, said the initiative initially received legal advisory support from former DCF Bhupendra Nath Talukdar and was later strengthened through the efforts of wildlife lawyer Rizaul Haque.
Among the 11 convictions, two landmark judgments in February and June 2019 resulted in four accused being sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹50,000 each—the maximum punishment under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In another case in April 2022, an accused was sentenced to one year in prison and fined ₹10,000.
More than 1,000 frontline forest personnel have participated in refresher, specialised and basic training programmes jointly organised by the Bodoland Forest Department and WTI since 2011.
A handbook on the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, compiled by Bhupendra Nath Talukdar, has also been distributed in more than 4,000 copies across seven editions. An eighth edition is currently being prepared, incorporating the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
Meanwhile, a six-day training programme on wildlife crime investigation, evidence collection and preparation of wildlife offence reports was conducted from September 9 to 14, 2026, jointly by the Manas Tiger Reserve Field Directorate, WTI and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Twenty-three Forester-I rank officials from Manas National Park and Baksa Forest Division participated.
Speaking at the valedictory ceremony, BTC Executive Member for Forests James Basumatary said the BTC was committed to combating wildlife crime and protecting natural resources. He highlighted ground-level monitoring initiatives and congratulated the Manas authorities for achieving three consecutive years without rhino and tiger poaching, while acknowledging the support of local communities.
The event also saw the inauguration of a veterinary treatment-cum-laboratory unit and the GIS and Tiger Cell.
The latest conviction, along with continued capacity-building initiatives, is being viewed as an example of how strong field-level investigation, trained forest personnel and sustained legal follow-up can strengthen efforts to dismantle wildlife crime networks.
