Rising pangolin poaching leads to ant infestation in GH
Mukul Sangma raises concern about vanishing ant-eaters during Budget Session; CM Conrad Sangma assures action
Shillong, Feb 23: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the government would act to safeguard Chinese pangolins, which are prone to poaching, after Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma warned that their decline is fuelling ant infestations across parts of Garo Hills.
During the question hour, Mukul said ant outbreaks are worsening due to the decreasing population of Chinese pangolins, or ant-eaters, as poaching has increased.
Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is the only species found in Meghalaya, and it is listed under the Endangered category on the IUCN list. It is also a Schedule I animal of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Mukul noted that the wildlife division operates from Baghmara in South Garo Hills, leaving the northern areas without support. “From North Garo Hills, there was no support… the person (concerned) is operating from Williamnagar,” he said, urging a new wildlife division in South West Garo Hills, which also serves as an elephant habitat.
“I had spoken to the DFO, but they have no manpower,” he added.
To this, Conrad replied that the government is in the process of expanding administration to the unmanned areas.
A recent CITES report showed that over half a million pangolins were seized globally between 2016 and 2024. China and Vietnam were at the top of the list as the main alleged destinations for pangolin parts, especially the scales.
Image courtesy the website of IUCN. © Skink Chen (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
