The Widespread Killing of Mongooses and Recent Seizures
Mongooses, small predatory mammals with long bodies and tails and grizzled or banded coats, are a common sight in India. These widely found mammals have recently been targeted for their hair, with both the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and the Uttar Pradesh forest department seizing raw mongoose hair and painting brushes made from it.
The Legal Protection of Mongooses
Under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, mongooses are protected species in India. Hunting, possessing, transporting, and trading them can lead to offenses punishable with imprisonment for up to seven years. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) also protects these small creatures.
Traditional hunting communities like the Narikuruvas in Tamil Nadu, Hakki Pakki in Karnataka, Gonds in Andhra and Karnataka, as well as the Gulias, Seperas, and Nath in central and northern India, are known to prey on mongooses. These communities are the main sources of raw mongoose hair for trade.
Species of Mongoose Found in India
India is home to six different species of mongooses: the Indian grey mongoose, small Indian mongoose, ruddy mongoose, crab-eating mongoose, stripe-necked mongoose, and brown mongoose. Among these species, the Indian grey mongoose is most commonly hunted due to its prevalent population.
About the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
The WCCB is a multi-disciplinary statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It operates under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, tasked with combating organized wildlife crime within the country. The bureau collects and collates intelligence related to wildlife crime activities and assists Customs authorities in inspecting flora and fauna consignments as per the Wildlife Protection Act and CITES.
| Species of Mongoose | Hunting Frequency |
|---|---|
| Indian grey mongoose | Most Frequently Hunted |
| Small Indian mongoose | Commonly Hunted |
| Ruddy mongoose | Less Commonly Hunted |
| Crab-eating mongoose | Rarely Hunted |
| Stripe-necked mongoose | Less Commonly Hunted |
| Brown mongoose | Rarely Hunted |
Award for National Unity Announced
In recent developments, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a new national honour for contributions to national unity. The award, inspired by Sardar Patel’s contribution towards the unification of the country, will be given annually to an Indian who has made significant contributions to national unity, similar to the prestigious Padma Awards.
Agni-IV Missile Successfully Test-Fired
India recently achieved a significant milestone in its defence capabilities by successfully test-firing its nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missile, Agni-IV. The surface-to-surface missile, capable of striking at a range of 4,000 km, was tested from launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range at Dr Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island.
Agni-IV is a two-stage solid-propelled missile with a height of approximately 20 metres and weight of 17 tonnes. It is equipped with an advanced ring laser gyro-based Inertial Navigation system (RINS). Further boosting its reliability, the missile also features a redundant micro navigation system (MINGS) for better accuracy and a 5th generation onboard computer with a distributed architecture.
This marked the seventh successful trial of the Agni-IV missile, closely following the second pre-induction trial of Agni V’s canisterised version. Ballistic missiles like Agni-I, II, III and Prithvi have already been integrated into the armed forces’ arsenal, with Agni IV and Agni V currently undergoing trials.
