INDO US PLAN FOR WILDLIFE TRAFFIC

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http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews & id=19265 India-US to

work against wildlife trafficking New

Delhi<http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews & id=19265#>:

India Thursday joined a US-led global coalition to

counter<http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews & id=19265#>the

growing threat to

wildlife <http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews & id=19265#> from

poaching and illegal trade.

 

" Wildlife trafficking has compounded because of a global nexus between

criminals operating in the areas of drugs and weapons and it needs to be

tackled by a multilateral effort, " said an India-US statement.

 

The US had formed the Coalition against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT) in

September last year. India joined CAWT after the signing of the US-India

joint statement in the Indian capital Thursday after talks between US

President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

 

The global coalition focuses political and public attention on growing

wildlife trafficking. Membership of CWAT is open to governments, NGOs and

corporations

<http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews & id=19265#>committed

to combating wildlife trafficking.

 

According to recent estimates, the global trade in animal, animal parts and

exotic species stands at $10 billion.

 

India and the US have been working for wildlife

conservation<http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews & id=19265#>for

over 15 years. The US

Fish <http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews & id=19265#> and

Wildlife Service (USFWLS) and Wildlife Institute of India had collaborated

in projects since 1989.

 

The statement said that US, Europe and China have emerged as major markets

for the global wildlife trafficking. A lot of wild animals and illegal

wildlife products are from Asia.

 

Initially, CAWT would focus on Asia, north America, Europe and the US.

Around seven major US-based environment and business groups have joined the

coalition.

 

The statement said that discussions between officials of India and US were

on public awareness, management of wildlife and national park management and

eco-tourism.