Bhubaneswar: Odisha, along with other parts of India, is set to witness intensified action against wildlife trafficking and forest-related crimes as part of INTERPOL’s Operation Thunder 2026, a global campaign targeting organised wildlife crime networks.The month-long operation will be conducted from September 14 to October 14, 2026, with the objective of identifying and disrupting illegal wildlife trade, including the smuggling of live animals to foreign countries.The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has issued directions to various enforcement agencies in connection with the operation. WCCB has been designated as India’s nodal agency for the campaign, with its Joint Director (Intelligence and Coordination) serving as the nodal officer.As part of the operation, agencies will undertake targeted action against wildlife crimes, cyber-patrolling to detect illegal online wildlife trade, and searches at airports, seaports and other exit points used for smuggling.In Odisha, particular attention is expected at Paradip Port and Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, where checking and surveillance will be strengthened to prevent the illegal movement of wildlife and wildlife products.Under the operation, seizure reports are to be submitted to the WCCB every Monday on September 21 and 28, and October 5 and 12. A final report is scheduled to be submitted to INTERPOL on October 15.The operation will focus particularly on live wildlife being smuggled abroad, illegal online trading and organised criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking. The coordinated action is aimed at disrupting the supply chains and networks operating across state and international borders.
Operation Thunder 2026: Checks against wildlife smuggling to be intensified in Odisha
