HT Correspondent
DHUBRI, June 23: In a significant wildlife rescue operation, four endangered golden langurs were saved from an alleged smuggling attempt on Saturday night in the Beldanga area of Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
The operation, carried out near the Bhabta rail-gate under Behrampore sub-division, led to the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of two vehicles suspected to have been used in the trafficking.
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The arrested individuals have been identified as Mithu Das (33), Titu Das (29), Samil Hossain Biswas (39), Rafiqul Mandal (29), Hasibul Mondal (25), and Biswajit Bagh (23).
The vehicles, bearing registration numbers WB-02Z-8382 and WB-52BE-1786, were intercepted following intelligence inputs received by the local police.
According to officials, the langurs were being illegally transported when the operation was conducted. The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of India, granting it the highest level of protection.
This species is native only to the western Assam region in India and some parts of Bhutan, and is known for its limited population and rapidly shrinking natural habitat.
Given West Bengal’s proximity to Assam, it is strongly suspected that the rescued primates originated from the northeastern state.
Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to identify the source of the animals and map the wider network involved in the trafficking operation.
The rescue, however, has sparked debate among conservationists, with concerns being raised over the future destination of the animals.
While the immediate priority is the langurs’ safety, wildlife activists are questioning whether they will be returned to their natural habitat in Assam or relocated to far-off facilities.
Anonymous voices within conservation circles have alleged a pattern in which rescued wildlife, especially endangered species, are sent to private or high-profile institutions far from their ecological origins.
“Why not send the seized langurs back to Assam, their native habitat?” one conservationist asked. “There is growing concern that such rescues often end with the animals being moved permanently to centres like Vantara in Gujarat, after a brief stopover at a local zoo.”
These allegations, though unproven, highlight a deeper issue within wildlife conservation — the ethical responsibility of authorities to ensure rescued animals are rehabilitated in their natural habitats whenever possible.
Experts argue that repatriation to native ecosystems gives endangered species the best chance of survival and plays a crucial role in preserving the region’s ecological balance.
As the police continue their probe into the smuggling racket, wildlife officials are under increasing pressure to make a transparent decision regarding the fate of the langurs.
Conservationists are urging that the langurs be returned to Assam, where they can be rehabilitated under appropriate scientific and ecological guidance.
For now, the rescued golden langurs remain in protective custody, and their future awaits the outcome of an investigation that could shape the broader discourse around wildlife rescue, relocation, and ethical conservation practices in the country.
