Assam: 5 Cartons of Rare Channa Barca Fish Seized in Bokakhat, 5 Held for Smuggling

Assam: A total of five cartons of rare and protected Channa barca fish were seized from a bus while being illegally transported at Bokakhat in Assam ’s Golaghat district on Tuesday. The seizure came during an operation carried out by Kaziranga National Park authorities, according to reports. Officials said they received a tip-off, based on which a prompt operation was planned and executed, leading to the seizure. Authorities also detailed five people in connection with the matter. They are being interrogated for more information, officials informed. Conservation Status Locally known as ‘Pipli Cheng’ in Assam, the Channa barca, also known as Barca snakehead fish, is a rare, primitive and predatory freshwater fish native and endemic to the upper Brahmaputra river basin, primarily found in Assam and Nagaland. While already facing threats from habitat loss, its striking colours fetch high prices in the international ornamental aquarium trade, leading to poaching and frequent illegal smuggling. As such, a 2022 amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act included the species in Schedule II, granting it statutory protection status. Trading, catching, or possessing the Chenna barca is entirely illegal in India, with penalties of up to three years of imprisonment. Also Read: Guwahati: Rare Turtle Rescued as Illegal Wildlife Trade Foiled