‘Illegal wildlife trade pushing many species towards extinction’
DIMAPUR, JUNE 4 (MExN): Nagaland Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, M. Lokeswara Rao on Saturday said the illegal trade in wildlife (ITW) is pushing many species of animals and plants toward local or global extinction and robbing us of our natural heritage.
“The loss of any species, even at a local level, is an erosion of the biodiversity that underpins the natural systems upon which we all depend for our food security, medicines, fresh air, water, shelter and a clean and healthy environment,” Rao, said on the occasion of the World Environment Day, 2016 in a press statement. This year slogan for WED is “Go Wild for Life.”
“Slaughtered elephants lying in the African savannah with their tusks hacked off by poaching gangs; tiger skins with embalmed heads roaring silently from market stalls in Asia; the shells of giant sea turtles impounded by customs agents before they reach their Western buyers. These highlight how the booming illegal trade in wildlife products is eroding Earth’s precious biodiversity, robbing us of our natural heritage and pushing whole species toward extinction,” the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests stated.
The killing and smuggling of wildlife is also undermining economies, fuelling organized crime, and feeding corruption and insecurity across the globe. The trade endangers iconic elephants, rhinos, tigers, gorillas and sea turtles.
Lesser-known species include helmeted hornbills, pangolins and wild orchids. Efforts to protect them have scored some successes. However, these and many other species remain at risk despite international campaigns to influence policy and considerable investments in conservation and law enforcement, Rao noted. He pointed out that illegal wildlife trade has evolved into a complex activity and India being one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots has emerged as a potential source country. The porous borders of India along with various gaps in wildlife law enforcement allow various protected species of wildlife and their parts to be trafficked.
On the scenario of illegal wildlife trade in the North East Region, Rao said it is a thriving business in the Northeast with the Dimapur - Imphal corridor an important route for smuggling wildlife to Myanmar and ultimately to South East Asia and China.
Citing instances of wildlife trafficking in recent days, Rao highlighted how pangolin scales, Star tortoises, 62 in number and consignment of elephant tusks were seized by authorities from Kohima and Dimapur from wildlife smugglers.
In order to turn this tide, Rao expressed that more people need to understand the damage this illicit business is doing to the environment, economies, communities and security adding, “We must also change our habits and behaviour so that demand for wildlife products falls.” He said more awareness means increased pressure on governments and international bodies to introduce and enforce tougher laws and combat those still willing to break them.
In an appeal to the people of Nagaland on WED, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests said it is everyone’s duty to protect the wildlife so people should refrain from purchasing wild meat and inform the Forest Department officials and Police when they get information about wildlife trafficking. “Make Nagaland abuzz with sound of birds and allow wild animals, which are born free to roam free and live free,” Rao urged.
Governor urges for participation in cleanliness drive on WED, 2016
Nagaland Governor PB Acharya has urged all concerned to give time to participate in the cleanliness drive organized by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) in the State to mark the World Environment Day, which is on Sunday.
A press note from the office of the Governor said WED is observed every year to know the vital importance about environmental issues and make sure that people around the world enjoy healthy environment and protect the earth natural resources from further deterioration.
On the occasion, the Governor said the cleanliness drive organized by NPCB could be carried out around the vicinity of homes, offices, surroundings, schools, colleges so as to make Nagaland a cleaner state and thereby facilitate the National mission of Swacch Bharat.
