China lobbies India for legalising tiger trade

New Delhi, May 16: China's lobby to seek India's support to lift ban on trade of tiger skins and parts has been strongly protested by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

China had been pursuing its neighbouring country to legalise the domestic trade of tiger skins for its medicinal properties.

''The step will hamper trade relations between India and the member countries of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) who have been working diligently towards protection of the endangered species,'' WWF India Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer Ravi Singh told reporters here today.

"The lifting of the ban will invite poaching not only in China but India as well," Mr Singh added. ''A majority of poached tiger skins and bones are smuggled from India into China through Nepal.''

Mr Singh further said the Chinese government plans for 'tiger farms,' which house around 5,000 tigers. ''But this would result in big cat's increased killing in the Indian territory,'' he said.

The Chinese tiger trade is estimated to be four billion dollars, and there is a heavy demand for tiger parts in the Chinese market for its believed healing and aphrodisiac qualities.

UNI