Operation Clean Art is the first pan India operation to crack down on the smuggling of mongoose hair in the country.
Under this operation on October 24, 2019, about 200 officials, including policemen raided at Sherkot in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district. Objective of this raid was to check on organised factories that were making paint brushes with mongoose hair. About 26 people were arrested in connection with illegal trade in mongoose hair.
About Mongoose
There are six species of mongoose found in India. These are:
- Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii)
- Ruddy Mongoose (Herpestes smithii)
- Gray Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus)
- Illiger Crab-eating Mongoose (Herpestes urva Hodgson)
- Stripe-Necked Mongoose (Herpestes Vitticollis Bennett)
- Brown Mongoose (Herpestes fuscus Waterhouse)
The mongoose, commonly known as Nevalaa in India, is an active hunter that feeds on a variety of ground-living animals, eggs and fruits.
According to the TRAFFIC, Mongooses are largely threatened by the unabated illegal trade in their hair, used to make paint brushes. To obtain one kilogramme of mongoose hair, at least 50 animals are killed.
The Indian Grey Mongoose is well known for its ability to fight and kill venomous snakes such as cobras. The Indian Grey Mongoose is listed in Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 while all the other five species are listed in Schedule IV.
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