Indian Army's Wildlife Efforts: Pangolin Rescue Near Indo-Pak Border Highlights Conservation Commitment
In an extraordinary display of wildlife conservation efforts, troops from the Indian Army's Gigrial Battalion successfully rescued a critically endangered pangolin during a routine patrol near the Indo-Pak International Border in Jammu's Akhnoor sector.
According to army officials, the rare pangolin, known for being one of the most trafficked mammals globally, was discovered in a vulnerable state, far removed from its typical habitat. Recognizing the threat posed by wildlife trafficking and the animal's ecological significance, the soldiers took immediate action to ensure its safety.
Subsequently, the pangolin was transferred to the Jammu and Kashmir forest and wildlife department for proper care and rehabilitation. This event emphasizes the Indian Army's dedication not only to national security but also to the preservation of biodiversity.
A defence spokesperson remarked, “This rescue highlights the Indian Army’s commitment to environmental responsibility and the safeguarding of India’s diverse fauna.”
Pangolins, specifically the Manis crassicaudata species, are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and are designated as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This incident is not an isolated one in the region. Earlier this year, on January 10, another pangolin was rescued from forested locations along the Line of Control in Rajouri’s Sunderbani sector. These incidents stress the pressing need for conservation efforts in ecologically sensitive border areas.
