Nepal is epicentre of wildlife poaching

Rajendra S Markuna | Haldwani

With the neighbouring Nepal allegedly becoming the epicentre of a wildlife poaching syndicate the Uttarakhnad Government has sought the assistance of the Interpol to curb the menace.

"We are constantly in touch with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the Government of India to approach the Interpol, said the concerned sources.

The main concern is that since three most notorious poachers - Dariya, Sansar Chand and his brother Naryan Chand - are presently in Katni, Delhi and Alwar jails, yet the number of poaching of wild animals are on the rise.

"Only during the past few months about 29 leopard skins were seized," Anil Balooni, vice-chairman of Forest and Environment advisory committee, told The Pioneer.

He further informed that this was just the tip of the ice burg. Apart from leopard skins, seizure of tiger skins, parts of elephants, deer and other endangered species is not less alarming following their high demand in the international market.

The fact remains that despite a lot of enforcement network put in place, only about 5 per cent cases of wildlife poaching cases come to light, Balooni further informed.

Use of wildlife products is totally banned in our country. Even traditionally that is not allowed here while in other counties like China, Thailand, Singapore to name a few there is no such ban. So it has become a matter of serious concern for us in recent times, he maintained.

"Since we have very friendly relations with Nepal with an open border and unrestricted movements, this has only proved to be counterproductive for us as far as preservation of wildlife is concerned. Today it is believed that all major wildlife poachers are running their networks from Nepal. So we are in constant touch with the Government India to help us get the services of other agencies like Interpol and our own intelligence agencies, Balooni further informed.

Expressing concern over the increasing network of wildlife poachers, chief wildlife warden SK Chandola also echoed similar concerns saying they were in touch with the Government of India and WCCB to get the services of Interpol in this regard. "If need we won't be shy to take the assistance of the Interpol and other enforcement agencies," added Chandola.