Operation Thunder, Highlights, Trends, Legal Framework

Operation Thunder was a large international operation against wildlife trafficking carried out across 134 countries. It was led by the INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization. The operation resulted in 4,640 seizures of illegal wildlife and wildlife products, revealing the large scale of global wildlife crime. It also showed increasing illegal trade in small animal species, marine life, and plants. The operation helped disrupt international criminal networks that threaten biodiversity, biosecurity, and the livelihoods of many communities around the world.

Operation Thunder Key Highlights

• Global Participation: The operation involved law enforcement agencies from 134 countries, making it one of the largest global actions against wildlife crime. It was coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization.
• Large Number of Seizures: Authorities made around 4,640 seizures of illegal wildlife and wildlife products. More than 30,000 live animals were rescued during the operation.
• Marine Species Trafficking: About 245 tonnes and nearly 91,000 pieces of marine life were seized, including around 4,000 shark fins. This shows the growing illegal trade in marine species.
• Plants and Timber: Officials seized over 10 tonnes of live plants and plant products. Illegal timber trade also remains a major problem, accounting for about 15–30% of global timber trade.
• Trafficking of Smaller Species: There has been a noticeable increase in the trafficking of smaller species. Authorities seized around 10,500 butterflies, spiders, and insects, many of which are protected under the CITES.
• Coordinating Agencies
• • INTERPOL: Facilitates international police cooperation to fight cross-border crime.
  • World Customs Organization: Supports customs authorities in detecting and preventing illegal trade.
  • International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime: Provides policy support, training, and coordination to combat wildlife and forest crimes.

Evolving Trends in Wildlife Trafficking

• Use of Online Platforms: Wildlife traffickers increasingly use social media and e-commerce platforms to sell endangered animals and their body parts, making it harder for authorities to track them.
• Shift to Lesser-Known Species: While animals like elephants and rhinos are still targeted, there is a growing demand for reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other exotic species for the global exotic pet trade.
• Links with Other Organized Crimes: Wildlife trafficking is often connected with other transnational crimes, such as drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and human trafficking. Criminal networks use the same routes and logistics systems.
• Role of Corruption: Criminal groups sometimes bribe officials to obtain permits, avoid customs checks, or escape legal action, which helps illegal trade continue.

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India’s Legal and Institutional Framework for Wildlife Protection

• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is the main law for protecting wildlife in India. It provides legal protection to wild animals, birds, and plants, and regulates hunting, trade, and possession of wildlife products. The Act also provides for the creation of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation reserves to protect biodiversity. The Act was amended in 2022 to strengthen wildlife protection and bring India’s laws in line with international agreements such as the CITES.

• Key Provisions of the 2022 Amendment:

• • Implementation of CITES: The amendment ensures that India’s domestic laws follow the rules of CITES regarding international trade in endangered species.
  • Rationalisation of Schedules: The number of schedules for protected species has been reduced from six to four, making classification simpler and improving enforcement.
  • Control of Invasive Alien Species: The Central Government has the power to regulate or ban the import, trade, or possession of invasive alien species that may harm native wildlife and ecosystems.
  • Stronger Penalties: Punishments and fines for wildlife crimes have been increased to discourage illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking.

• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was established in 2007 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It is a statutory multi-disciplinary body responsible for preventing and controlling wildlife crime in India.
• Functions of WCCB:

• • Acts as the nodal agency for combating organized wildlife crime in the country.
  • Collects and analyzes intelligence on wildlife trafficking.
  • Coordinates with state forest departments, police, customs authorities, and international agencies.
  • Maintains a centralized wildlife crime database and supports enforcement agencies in investigations.

Operation Thunder Significance

Operation Thunder supports international efforts under the CITES, which regulates trade in endangered species. It strengthens global cooperation against environmental crimes and sends a strong warning to illegal wildlife traders. By disrupting trafficking networks, the operation helps protect biodiversity, maintain ecological balance, and safeguard the livelihoods of communities that depend on natural resources.