Tokay Gecko enlisted under Wildlife (Protection) Act
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 31 2013 :
Taking cognizance of the impending threat to the survival of Tokay Gecko (Gecko Gecko), a lizard of Gekkoniodae family, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has finally provided legal protection to the species by enlisting the species under Schedule-IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 .
A notification to this effect was issued by the Additional Director General of Forests (WL) and Director, Wildlife Preservation, MoEF, Government of India on December 6 last, according to a statement issued by Th Ibobi Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Manipur.
Under the same notification, the status of Hog Deer (Axis porcinus), locally known as Kharsa, has also been upgraded from Schedule-III to Schedule-I.Now the offence to this species is punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than three years but may extend up to seven years and with fine, the notification added.