Wildlife poacher caught hunting spiny-tailed lizard

Rajkot: The Surendranagar forest department apprehended a man identified as Dalsukh Mathasuriya from the Chorvira forest while he was allegedly poaching a spiny-tailed lizard, locally known as "sandha".According to forest officials, the spiny-tailed lizard is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, making its hunting and trade illegal. Despite the ban, traffickers target the reptile for its oil, which is believed to be used for relieving joint pain in India and as a sexual stimulant in China. The species is commonly found in the grasslands of Gujarat."An offence was registered at Thangadh range under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Indian Forest Act, and legal proceedings have commenced. During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime," said Tushar Patel, assistant conservator of forests. The accused was detained on May 6 and produced before the judicial magistrate's court in Thangadh on Thursday.