Rajasthan Forest Department Cracks Down on Illegal ‘Hathajodi’ Trade

Baran, Rajasthan: In a significant operation, the Rajasthan Forest Department has busted an inter-state gang involved in the illegal poaching and trafficking of monitor lizard (Goh) organs, commonly known as ‘Hathajodi’, used in tantric rituals, black magic, and superstitious practices. This illicit trade, which poses a serious threat to wildlife conservation, has been spreading rapidly across Rajasthan and neighboring Madhya Pradesh.

What is Hathajodi and Why is it Trafficked?

‘Hathajodi’ refers to the hemi-penis of the male monitor lizard, which is dried and sold for use in tantric spells, rituals, and as a supposed charm for wealth, luck, and power. The superstition surrounding its alleged mystical properties has driven high demand, making it a lucrative but illegal business.

Four Poachers Arrested

Acting on confidential intelligence from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, New Delhi, two special teams carried out a raid in Baran district on Wednesday. Four poachers were arrested from Kishanganj, Ataru, and Nahargarh areas, exposing years of illegal trapping and trade.

The accused are:

• Raju Kalbelia – Kushepur, Guna, MP
• Vinod Kalbelia – Sonipura Tapra, Nahargarh
• Pawan Kalbelia – Dengni Jagir, Ataru
• Kuldeep Kalbelia

During the raid, authorities seized 48 Hathajodi organs and two cages, confirming the organized scale of the operation. The poachers trapped monitor lizards in the forests of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and later sold their organs for use in black magic, traditional medicine, and fortune rituals.

Previous Incidents Highlight Wider Network

Earlier this year, a similar case was uncovered in Kota, where authorities seized 28 monitor lizard organs, 12 Barasingha horns, 2 live turtles, leopard claws, and six snares. The latest arrests in Baran indicate a well-organized inter-state trafficking network that the Forest Department is now working to dismantle completely.

Forest Department Intensifies Vigilance

The raid was led by Baran Ranger Bhupendra Singh Hada and Kishanganj Ranger Deepak Sharma, who continue to investigate and identify other individuals linked to this illegal wildlife trade. Officials have stressed that such poaching not only threatens the survival of endangered species but also undermines conservation efforts in Rajasthan’s forests.