Wildlife forensics in battle against veneration frauds in Uttarakhand, India: identification of protected Indian monitor lizard in items available in the local market under the name of Hatha Jodi

Certain articles of worship are commonly sold in Uttarakhand, India by the name Hatha Jodi, a root of a rare plant found only in a few parts of central India. The present work provides genetic proof that the Hatha Jodi sold in three local markets of Uttarakhand contained material from the Varanus species, species protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A total of eight samples were bought, two each from the local markets in Haridwar and Rishikesh, three from Dehradun and one from an online source (Amazon). The initial inspection confirmed that two of the samples were made of plastic material. Therefore only the other six samples were subjected to DNA analysis. DNA sequences were successfully obtained and matched with reference sequences available in NCBI Genbank database through BLAST search tool for species identification. All the six samples matched 100% with the Indian monitor lizard. The findings indicate how commercialization and the wildlife trade are playing a role in decline of the population of the Indian monitor lizard. If strong protection measures are not taken as soon as possible, the Indian monitor lizards will go Extinct very soon. Therefore, we suggest that the Government and Wildlife enforcement agencies take serious action against the illegal articles available in the local markets of Uttarakhand under the name Hatha Jodi. Further, the government needs to take legal action against offenders in other states in which the product is available for sale.