Ivory artefacts trafficking ring unravels as DRI seizes 54 high-value items in Lucknow operation

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a syndicate involved in the illicit trade of ivory artefacts in Lucknow.
• 02The seized artefacts included animal figurines of bull, elephants, dog, human figurines of warrior, mother holding her child, and other items such as scissors, comb, agarbatti stand, and sindoor dani.
• 03The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibits trade and commerce in elephant ivory and articles manufactured therefrom.
• 04India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• 05The DRI had previously busted a syndicate in Mysuru, Karnataka, and seized 4 kg of elephant tusks in May.
• 06The DRI had also seized 11 kg elephant ivory tusks in Sujangarh, Rajasthan, and two intricately designed ivory idols of deities in Howrah, Kolkata, in July.
• 07The seized artefacts made from ivory are exquisite, finely detailed, and of potentially substantial commercial and antique value.

Trap alerts

• Most people think the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibits only the trade of elephant ivory, but actually it prohibits trade and commerce in elephant ivory and articles manufactured therefrom.
• Most people think the DRI is only responsible for revenue-related issues, but actually it also deals with wildlife trafficking and illicit trade.
• Most people think the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is only an international agreement, but actually it has been incorporated into Indian law through the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.