States » WestPosted at: Oct 15 2026 9:39PM


Maha: Tejas Thackeray urges Centre to protect endangered Borna Snakehead fish

Mumbai, Oct 15 (UNI) In a move that has sparked intense political speculation regarding his expanding public role, wildlife researcher and conservationist Tejas Thackeray has written a formal representation to union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, demanding urgent Central intervention to halt the rampant illegal smuggling of the endangered Borna Snakehead fish.
The high-profile environmental appeal follows Thackeray’s recent physical presence alongside his brother, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, at high-profile student and youth-led protests in Mumbai against police crackdowns.
According to the communication sent by Thackeray and the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation (TWF), the Borna Snakehead—a micro-endemic freshwater species discovered in the Chel River basin of West Bengal by TWF researchers in 2025—is facing an existential threat due to aggressive poaching for the illicit international pet and aquarium trade.
Highlighting that its restricted natural habitat makes the species exceptionally vulnerable to commercial exploitation, Thackeray has urged the union Ministry to take immediate remedial action.
The core demands put forth in the representation include:
Elevating the statutory conservation status of the species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act to grant it maximum legal protection.
Deploying specialized anti-poaching patrol squads along vulnerable stretches of the Chel River basin.
Establishing notified, government-backed "Protected Aquatic Zones" in critical habitats to shield local freshwater biodiversity from commercial degradation.
While Tejas Thackeray has primarily focused on scientific discoveries—ranging from rare freshwater fish to newly identified forest geckos—his direct policy intervention on environmental governance has added fuel to active political chatter in Maharashtra regarding his growing footprint in public affairs.
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