Prabal Kr Das, Assam Tribune 30 Dec 07;
GUWAHATI, Dec 30 – Poor protection, proximity to a large market and abysmal implementation of wildlife laws have put in peril a range of wild flora and fauna in large parts of South Asia.
In recent times illegal trade in wildlife has proliferated in North East India, Nepal, and Bhutan creating what could be called a conservation nightmare. Even though no precise figures exist about the illegal trade in wildlife in this region, estimates put it at least more than a billion dollars. After all, in the global context it has been placed in the region of $5 billion.
Renowned conservationist Ashok Kumar of the prestigious Wildlife Trust of India said, ‘Although this illegal trade in South Asia cannot be rendered in money terms because of its covert nature, business is huge and has actually come to threaten or even damage the biodiversity of some areas.’
Underlining the fact that the trade has been going on for several decades, he revealed that the activities have now put pressure on several critically endangered species. ‘The tiger, the rhino, the elephant, the bear have all been targeted …the situation is so bad that inside a protected area in India a population of tigers was wiped out.’
The tiger population in India has been especially hit hard by poachers who have killed them in worrying numbers in and around national parks and sanctuaries. The body parts, after they enter the local market, could bring a fortune to those involved. As soon as the skin and bones become available for international customers they could fetch prices which reach up to $ 10,000.
Another important species that has been affected by the illegal trade has been the Indian one-horned rhino, a large concentration of which is found in North East India’s Kaziranga National Park, a world heritage site. According to Assam Forest Department officials, no less than 16 rhinos have been slaughtered this year alone — a noticeable spurt compared to figures of previous years.
The killings acquire more significance considering the fact that the Indian rhino attracts strong conservation efforts, as it is listed as a Schedule 1 species in the Wildlife Protection Act.
There is, however, another dimension of the illegal trade than just some keystone species being threatened and annihilated. Some other less well known, but equally important species, face a grim prospect with demands for them soaring in the international market.
According to conservation sources the problem is becoming more acute with visitors entering remote areas and carrying out informal trade with local people. Some of them would be too happy to gather small animals and plants for a little amount of money that for them would be a windfall.
National borders and the controls therein offer little deterrence to the network that carries out the illegal trade in South Asia. While the majority of the killings take place in biodiversity rich India, Nepal or Bhutan, a popular point of transhipment is Nepal and to a certain extent Bangladesh and Myanmar.
From these places, the contraband usually enters the international market, a large chunk heading towards China, and the rest into Western Europe and the US. In China a ready market for traditional medicines would absorb a large part of the commodities, while the other markets would attract artfacts, souvenirs and pets.
Some of the artfacts could be quite bizarre like stools made of elephant legs, or erotica intricately carved from ivory. Rhino horns carved in to small pieces to be worn as amulets or ornaments is not uncommon in parts of India, China or Myanmar. Skins of big cats are among the most sough after luxuries among some rich Chinese.
The ever-hungry market for exotic pets also fuels the illegal trade in wildlife. According to WWF India, species like star tortoises have repeatedly been targeted by traders, who have customers in places as far as Perth, Singapore, London and Los Angeles. Falcons, most of them very young, have found their way to parts of the Middle East where they command high prices.
Not surprisingly, the internet has further pushed the limits of the illegal trade as has been revealed by several surveys by conservation groups. The anonymity provided by the medium to the traders has made it difficult for resource-starved forest departments to mount any major countermeasure against them.
In a recent internet search made by this correspondent, the phrase ‘rhino horn for sale’ yielded quite a few results, including one of a Victorian rhino horn that was stated as ‘removed’. Another directory mentioned that a rhino horn was for immediate sale. However, conservationists believe, that the trade is much more active through more discrete channels on the internet.
Dr Asad Rahmani, Director of Bombay Natural History Society, India’s oldest conservation organisation referring to the problem of illegal trade in wildlife emphasized that steps needed to be taken now before irreparable harm was done to a variety of wildlife.
He favoured very specific responses when it came to combating illegal trade of wildlife. ‘When one is dealing with commodities which are made into luxury items, there should be a total ban.’ While stating that India already possesses enough legislation on preventing the trade, he was critical about their implementation, adding ‘their tough implementation is still not the case’.
Dr Rahmani, like some others aware of the issue, would support a two pronged approach: equip police, forest and customs officials with more information and powers, while pushing for better public awareness and education at the grassroots as well as among prospective customers. The strategy, however, is far from being adopted in the region.
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