Manas NP, Assam, 14th September 2026:  In a major victory for wildlife conservation and legal enforcement, a designated court has handed down the 11th wildlife crime conviction connected to the Manas Tiger Reserve (MTR). On August 19, 2026, an accused individual involved in the illegal trade of elephant tusks was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of ₹10,000 (with an additional three months of simple imprisonment in default of payment). This verdict marks the 11th successful conviction secured since 2017, capping off 15 years of relentless teamwork, capacity building, and legal follow-up that began in 2011 in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

A Decadal Journey of Rigorous Legal Enforcement

“The initiative began in 2011 with a focused strategy by developing the capacity of frontline forest staff through training on Wildlife Crime Investigation, Evidence Collection, and the comprehensive framing of Wildlife Offence Reports. To ensure the highest standard of legal evidence, crucial advisory support was provided to Investigating Officers, initially led by Shri Bhupendra Nath Talukdar, DCF (Retd.), and subsequently championed by Advocate (Wildlife) Shri Rizaul Haque,” said Sanatan Deka, Senior Manager & Project Head, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).  Due to these continuous efforts, the designated courts began delivering consecutive convictions starting in 2017. Notable milestones across these 11 convictions include:

The Landmark Highest Punishments: Two separate judgments issued on February 8, 2019, and June 17, 2019, saw the court sentence four accused individuals (two in each case) to seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with a ₹50,000 fine each—the maximum penalty under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The Minimum Sentence: On April 20, 2022, a conviction resulted in a one-year imprisonment term and a fine of ₹10,000.

Empowering Frontline Staff on the Ground

“The backbone of these courtroom victories is the robust training provided to the frontline forest staff of the BTC. Since 2011, more than 1,000 frontline staff members have participated in fresher, refresher, and specialised legal training jointly organised by the Bodoland Forest Department and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

23 Forester-1 rank officials from Manas National Park and Baksa Forest Division participated in the training

A vital tool in this success has been the Handbook on Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, compiled by Shri Bhupendra Nath Talukdar, with over 4,000 copies spanning seven editions distributed to ground staff. To ensure enforcement teams remain ahead of legal updates, work is currently underway on the 8th edition, which will integrate the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

Inspiring Change Across India’s Forests

These 11 convictions are a direct outcome of the efforts of trained frontline staff and meticulous, hand-held court follow-ups by dedicated legal counsel. By sharing this story of perseverance, MTR hopes to send a powerful message of encouragement to frontline forest forces across India, proving that robust field investigation combined with solid courtroom follow-up can successfully dismantle wildlife crime networks.

We have initiated the “Wildlife Crime Investigation, Evidence Collection and Framing Wildlife Offence Report with relevant laws and rules as amended up-to-date” in BTC jointly with WTI, in its institutional partner, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) organised by the Field Directorate, Manas Tiger Reserve.

Bhupendra Nath Talukdar, DCF (Retd.), conducting a field session

The first batch of six-day training, from 9^th Sept to 14^th Sept 2026, was successfully concluded, where 23 Forester-1 rank officials from Manas National Park and Baksa Forest Division participated in the training.

Speaking on the occasion and presiding over the valedictory ceremony, Shri James Basumatary, Hon’ble Executive Member, Forests, BTC, stated that “We are committed to combating wildlife crime and the onslaught on our natural resources. We have taken a series of initiatives to have active monitoring at the ground level. I congratulate the Manas Park Authorities on a 3-year zero poaching for Rhinos and Tigers and thank the local community for their support.”

The event also saw the inauguration of a veterinary treatment cum laboratory unit and the GIS& Tiger Cell.