Don't relax efforts to curb wildlife trade, India to UN

New Delhi, June 14: India, which was yesterday successful in making a UN convention in The Hague pass a resolution endorsing captive breeding of tigers only where they aid conservation, has asked world nations not to relax efforts to regulate the trade in wildlife.

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narayan Meena told the 171-nation UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at its ongoing meeting in The Hague that the enormity of the situation, and the whole gamut of factors involved calls for more conscious and concerted actions at regional, national and trans-national level.

Apparently referring to yesterday's decision of CITES, Mr Meena said the international community has shown great commitment to regulate the trade in wildlife and crack down on wildlife crimes.

''Tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts or derivatives,'' said a resolution adopted by the CITES.

The resolution was adopted by consensus even though China argued strongly against it, reports from The Hague quoting delegates said.

Mr Meena said India supported the largest wild population of tiger in well established network of protected areas and tiger reserves, but despite all efforts to conserve this magnificent animal, the illegal trade in tiger and its body parts across the international borders was the biggest problem. Poaching and illegal trade threatens its survival.

According to reports, Beijing told CITES last week that it was considering allowing domestic trade in parts from its 5,000 captive-bred tigers if a scientific study proved it would reduce poaching and help conserve wild tigers worldwide.

However, many nations, including India, Nepal, Russia, the United States and Bhutan said any domestic Chinese sales would simply encourage poachers to cash in and shoot remaining tigers in the wild around Asia.

Mr Meena told CITES that the Wildlife Protection Act of India strengthens enforcement mechanisms and a multi-disciplinary wildlife crime control bureau has been set up for dedicated and focused action on tackling wildlife crime.

The Minister expressed the need to give more focus to the protection of its marine resources and timber resources.

India is a signatory to many international treaties and conventions like CITES, Convention on Migratory Species, International Whaling Commission etc.

UNI