New Delhi, Apr 24 (IANS): The CBI has registered a case against four persons from Lakshadweep on the charge of poaching 46 live sea cucumbers and possession of 173 taxidermized cucumbers which are important for marine ecosystem.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) booked the four residents of Kavaratti under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 after taking over the case that was earlier investigated by the Lakshadweep Forest Department that registered a case on January 11 following seizure of the marine fauna.

Salmanul Faris, Irfanuddin, Rameesh Khan and Mohammed Ali Kodipalli were named in the CBI FIR registered on Thursday following a letter from the WildLife Crime Control Bureau dated February 28.

Sea cucumbers are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body, found on the sea floor worldwide. They play an important role in protecting the coral island of Lakshadweep and are as important to the marine ecosystem as tiger is to the wildlife, the official said.