18th August, 2004

Dharchula, notorious smuggling trade point for wildlife products and narcotics is in the news again. On 16 August 2004, approximately 16 kg of raw shahtoosh wool were seized by the police in this remote Uttaranchal town near the Indo-Nepal border.

According to information received by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), a police party of five constables, led by Sub-Inspector Udaiveer Singh stopped a refrigerated van for a routine check as it was heading out for Delhi. The driver was arrested when shahtoosh wool was found in the van.

It is believed that the shahtoosh was hidden among 66 kg of pashmina, which were kept in the container of the refrigerated vehicle. The van was used to carry food for the employees of a multi-national construction company working on the Dhauliganga Hydro-electric Project.

During interrogation, the driver revealed that the seized shahtoosh belonged to a local trader, who is now absconding. Interestingly, it appears that this trader is the nephew of a senior Forest officer from Delhi.