In a significant demonstration of wildlife conservation efforts, troops from the Gigrial Battalion of the Indian Army successfully rescued a critically endangered pangolin during a routine patrol along the Indo-Pak International Border in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu district. Army officials reported that the rare animal, known for being one of the most trafficked mammals globally, was found in a vulnerable state and far from its natural habitat.
Acknowledging the ecological importance of pangolins and the escalating danger posed by wildlife trafficking, the soldiers took immediate action to secure the animal. Following the rescue, the pangolin was handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir forest and wildlife department, where it will receive proper care and rehabilitation.
This act not only emphasizes the Indian Army’s dedication to national security but also reflects its commitment to preserving biodiversity within the region. A defense spokesperson remarked, “This rescue underscores the Indian Army’s dedication to environmental responsibility and the protection of India’s diverse fauna.”
Pangolins, scientifically known as Manis crassicaudata, are classified under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and are recognized as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The increasing frequency of such rescues highlights the urgent need for active conservation measures in sensitive border areas.
This incident is not isolated; it follows a similar rescue on January 10 of the same year, when another pangolin was found in forested areas along the Line of Control in Rajouri’s Sunderbani sector. Both occurrences serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in wildlife conservation, particularly in regions where human activity encroaches on natural habitats.
