Illegal Wildlife Trade

Why in news?

Indian authorities have arrested six individuals in Jharkhand for allegedly being involved in illegal online trading of wildlife parts, including a substance called Hatha Jodi.

What is illegal wildlife trade?

• Illegal wildlife trade- It refers to the illegal buying, selling, or exchange of wild animals, plants, and their derivatives.  
• It includes the trafficking of endangered species protected by law and the trade of wildlife products without proper permits or in violation of national and international regulations.
• Types of illegal wildlife trade

o Live animals and plants- Trafficking of live specimens for pets, zoos, or private collections.

o Animal parts- Trade in products like ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, and tiger skins.

o Plants and plant products- Illegal trade in timber, medicinal plants, and rare flora.

• Magnitude of illegal wildlife trade- Between $7 and $23 billion per year globally.

•  Top countries of wildlife trafficking

What are the causes of illegal wildlife trade?

• Demand for Luxury goods - Items like ivory, rhino horns, and tiger skins are seen as status symbols in some cultures.
• Use in Traditional medicine- Certain wildlife parts are believed to have medicinal properties, driving demand in traditional medicine markets.
• Exotic pets- The demand for rare and exotic pets leads to the capture and trade of wild animals.
• Use as food -  Pangolins are  trafficked mostly due to demand for meat and scales.
• High profit margins- The illegal wildlife trade is a lucrative business with high profits, especially for rare species.
• Inadequate legal frameworks- Some countries lack strong laws or penalties to deter illegal wildlife trade.
• Border control challenges- Poorly managed borders make it easier for smugglers to transport illegal wildlife products.
• Superstitions and Demand - Belief among people that some animal parts like Hatha Jodi have magical powers in solving financial and health issues.
• Lack of awareness – Most of the perpetrators do not understand the gravity and impact of the crime.

What are the emerging challenges in controlling illegal wildlife trade?

• Social Media – Social Media is increasingly being used to propagate false information about wildlife products.
• This fuels the thriving illegal market for endangered animals.
• Encrypted communication - Privacy protection features such as encrypted chat and private social media groups further add challenges to tracing the illegal wildlife trade.
• New trade channels – Unregulated  cyberspace channels  and E-Commerce platforms being used for selling wildlife products  pose new challenges to identifying and preventing wildlife crimes.
• Air Ports – Airports in India are major conduits for trafficking wildlife contraband.
• New methods of evading checks – New methods are used for evading the enforcement agencies in hiding articles through checked luggage and personal baggage.
• Wrong declaration of protected species. 

What are the impacts of illegal wildlife trade?

• Species decline- Illegal trade often targets endangered species, pushing them closer to extinction.
• Ecosystem disruption- Removal of key species can disrupt ecosystem function and harm other wildlife.
• Tourism impact- Loss of wildlife can reduce ecotourism revenue, which many local economies depend on.
• Economic costs- Management and enforcement against illegal trade can be costly for governments.
• Organized crime- Wildlife trafficking is often linked to other forms of organized crime , corruption and terrorism.
• Local communities- Indigenous and local communities may lose traditional livelihoods tied to wildlife.
• Disease transmission- Illegal wildlife trade can spread zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans).

What are the regulations in India?

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- It provides for the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and imposes penalties for illegal trade.

o Hunting or trading parts of Schedule I species under WPA act can result in imprisonment for 3 to 7 years and a minimum fine of Rs 25,000.

To know more about WPA act , Click Here.

• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)- India is a signatory to CITES, which regulates international trade in endangered species.
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)- Responsible for tackling wildlife crime across the country.
• Forest departments- Local Forest departments play a key role in monitoring and enforcement at the ground level.
• Project Tiger and Project Elephant- Government programs focused on conserving tiger and elephant populations.
• Protected Areas Network- A system of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to safeguard habitats and wildlife.
• Awareness campaigns- Various NGOs and government bodies conduct campaigns to educate the public about the impacts of illegal wildlife trade and the importance of conservation.
• Cross-Border efforts- Collaboration with neighboring countries and international organizations to combat wildlife trafficking.

o TRAFFIC - Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network  to monitor the international trade in wild plants and animals.

What lies ahead?

• Updating laws- Ensure that wildlife protection laws are comprehensive and adapt to emerging threats and new trafficking methods.
• Harmonizing regulations- Align national laws with international agreements like CITES to create a unified approach to wildlife protection.
• Training and capacity building- Provide training for law enforcement and customs officials on wildlife trafficking detection and investigation.
• Cross-Border collaboration- Foster collaboration between countries and international organizations to tackle the global nature of wildlife trafficking.
• Information sharing- Create networks for sharing intelligence and best practices among nations.
• Public awareness campaigns- Implement global and local awareness campaigns to educate the public about the impacts of wildlife trafficking and the importance of conservation.
• Advanced monitoring- Use technology such as drones, satellite imagery, and genetic tools to monitor wildlife populations and detect illegal activities.
• Data management- Develop robust data systems for tracking wildlife trade and enforcement actions to enhance analysis and response.
• Scientific research- Support research on wildlife populations, trafficking methods, and conservation strategies to inform policy and action.   

References

1. Down to Earth | illegal online trade of wildlife
2. Global Environment Facility | Illegal wildlife trade