Considering the current monthly topic of wildlife conservation, and with the recently passed UN World Wildlife Day on 3rd March, I am reminded of an essay that I wrote for one of the Tunza Ecogen yearly essay contests- a piece that won me a prize too! Fight against illegal wildlife trade is an important aspect of wildlife conservation and protection of our rich biodiversity and this is what my essay is about. I am sharing the essay along with the link of the UNEP website.

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/new-jungle-book-fight-against-illegal-wildlife-trade-my-country-india

 

The New Jungle Book - fight against illegal wildlife trade in my country India

 

As a small boy, ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling was one of my favorite reads. It is a heartwarming tale of the adventures of Mowgli, a child lost in the jungles of India; and raised by wild animals as one of their own.

 

If Kipling were to write the book today, he would struggle to find main characters for his story. His chief antagonist, ‘Sher Khan’ the tiger would have ended up on the dining table as a delicacy or as an ingredient for exotic medicines. ‘Hathi’ the elephant would have been taken down for his tusks. The wolves, ‘Akela’ and ‘Raksha’ may have been skinned alive for their fur. Poachers would have murdered ‘Balu’ the bear to get his paws for soup; his gall bladder and bile for medicines. The snakes ‘Kaa’ and ‘Nagaina’, would have lost their lives for their skin. Head of ‘Bagheera’ the panther may have adorned the home of a trophy hunter. The ‘New Jungle Book’, would perhaps be a story about protecting animals, from being illegally traded and being sacrificed for lure of money.

 

Not very long ago, Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of our Nation’ had said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Considering the rampant illegal wildlife trade in India, I feel that we are far from calling ourselves great or progressive.

 

Illegal wildlife trade poses a serious threat to conservation of many endangered species. Unless controlled, loss of biodiversity can disturb the delicate balance of natural ecosystems, cause disruption of food webs, finally threatening our own survival. However, even though it is an offence punishable by Indian law and a severe violation of animal rights, illegal trade of wildlife still continues to be an overwhelmingly daunting challenge.

 

Rich biodiversity of India and huge amounts of money involved in wildlife trade are lucrative to poachers. The trade is often run by mafias as organized crime, thus making it more difficult for local law enforcement agencies to curb and control it. Furthermore, online trading and web auctions have made it easier for these activities to flourish. Use of technology has further facilitated monetary transactions, causing a steady rise in demand and supply of animal parts and products. Additionally, illicit trade thrives due to low probability of detection and conviction; or other loopholes in the system.

 

Unfortunately, India has also had a history of some incorrect practices. Hunting for sport and game was a privilege enjoyed by the elite, till wildlife protection laws enforced strict control on hunting and wildlife trade in late 19th century. Tigers were long considered as pests and people rewarded for killing them.  Display and use of animal parts, ivory, furs and skins was; and is still considered a status symbol and a fashion statement. Tortoises, birds and some species of marine life are commonly traded as pets.

 

Indian government is working relentlessly to protect our wildlife, with national reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in nearly all states. But, in spite of fencing and regular patrols at reserves, poachers are often one step ahead. A mass shift in the mindset of people is imperative, to create empathy towards animals and launch a systematic multipronged attack on the illegal trade.

 

Creating public awareness about the issue can be the first step, towards reducing the demand for animal parts, thereby discouraging poachers. Mass media can be used to portray wildlife as a valuable resource, and to condemn its use as a trading commodity. Anthropomorphism of animals in movies can effectively highlight that lives of animals are as valuable as ours. Such cinema translated in various regional languages can endorse the fight against poaching, by spreading the message among children and adults alike, especially in areas where illegal practices are widespread.

 

Lawbreakers are using technology to their advantage and so should we, to educate and empower the public.  Awareness drives and campaigns can be employed to educate the common man about consequences of illegal wildlife trade and ways to identify illicit activities. Reporting of crimes can be made easier and hassle-free, through toll-free telephone numbers and online reporting. Coupled with a rewarding system, this will encourage people to participate in the war against poachers. NGOs, Local task forces and intelligence units can be trained and enlisted in larger areas, to supplement and support government forces.

Along with prevention, accountability is also of extreme importance. Social and mass media can be employed to name and shame perpetrators of illegal activities; as also to acknowledge and appreciate those who contribute to prevention of such offenses. Sanctions and incentives can both be used judiciously; along with strict enforcement of laws, stringent penalties and severe punishments; to further deter poachers and traders. Buyers too need to be penalized and discouraged. Once detected, illegal products should be confiscated and destroyed publically. This will be a major deterrent to all involved parties. Cheaper and better faux alternatives can also reduce demand.

 

Attacked from all sides, demand for animal parts and products will go down and the trade will obviously suffer.

 

Before concluding, I want to share a personal experience. While admiring a Rhino, during a visit to the Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, I shuddered at a stray thought of being poached by Rhinos and left to die with my nose slashed off. In the safety of the covered safari vehicle, I was the one in the cage and the animals out in the wild, the way they should be!

 

I have also visited the ‘Jim Corbette National Park and Tiger Reserve’ in India; ‘Masai Mara’, and ‘Lake Naivasha Reserve’ in Kenya; and ‘Serengeti Reserve’ in Tanzania. Every visit made me fall more in love with and respect the unique biodiversity that nature has bestowed upon us as a gift.

 

Let us strive to fight illegal trade in wildlife, so that we and our future generations continue to enjoy this boon; and not end up seeing some of our amazing wildlife only in ‘The Jungle Book’.