The Odisha Forest department has stressed the need for stricter monitoring of social media platforms to check pangolin poaching and trading.

Key Facts:

Pangolin is the only scaly mammal on the planet. According to CITES, it is also the most illegally traded vertebrate within its class (Mammalia). Of the eight species of pangolin worldwide, two are found in India. They are Chinese pangolin, mostly found in northeast India and Indian pangolin.

1. Chinese pangolin has been listed as “critically endangered”.

2. Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) has been listed as “endangered”.

It is also a Schedule I category protected animal, under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).