Guest guest Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 Wild Tigers on the Brink; Environmentalists Call for China and India to Combat the Illicit Skin Trade Link: http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/27092006.php Source: Wildlife Protection Society of India 27th September 2006 Delhi Environmentalists are calling on the governments of India and China to take action against the criminals involved in the illegal skin trade. The subject will be a major topic of discussion by the international community attending the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Standing Committee, who will be meeting in Geneva from 2 to 6 October 2006. Recent undercover investigations by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) revealed that the trade in tiger and leopard skins in China and Tibet continues to thrive, operating without any hindrance from the Chinese government whilst driving India's wild tigers closer towards extinction. Investigators discovered that while the open use of tiger and leopard skins for decorating costumes seemed to be in decline, traders now appeared to be catering to an increased demand for the use of whole tiger and leopard skins as home décor and prestigious gifts. Consumers driving this demand include Chinese tourists, local Chinese businessmen and government officials. Belinda Wright, Director of WPSI stated; " Despite many promises from both the Indian and Chinese governments, no effective action has been taken to crack down on the hardcore criminals behind the skin trade. The governments involved are in a state of lethargy, and, in the case of China, even appear to be condoning the trade. " In the markets of China, investigators documented the open and easily accessible trade in tiger and leopard skins. In the space of just ten days, investigators met 11 traders who offered them whole tiger and leopard skins. The traders were clearly aware of the illegality of their operations, but were unconcerned about the threat of arrest or disruption by local authorities; one trader even said that enforcement had decreased in the last two years. Debbie Banks, Head of EIA's Tiger Campaign, stated; " This trade is run by highly organised criminal networks who have far too much invested to let a few isolated raids and random seizures deter them. If the governments are to stand a chance of combating this illegal trade, they will need to recognise this and direct their enforcement teams to take more proactive, intelligence-led action. " The USA government has submitted a document for discussion at the 54th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee on the illegal trade in tiger parts. This document recommends that the members agree on parameters for measuring progress by tiger range states to combat the trade. If endorsed, Parties such as China and India would have to show that sufficient action has been taken by April 2007, or risk the suspension of trade in CITES listed species. EIA and WPSI call on all Parties to CITES to recognise the urgency of the matter. They also urge the wider international community to provide financial support and enforcement expertise to facilitate the development of specialised, multi-agency enforcement units capable of tackling the organised criminal networks behind this illicit trade. Wright continued: " Enforcement is not controversial or the subject of scientific debate. It is quite simply essential. The clock is ticking for the tiger and there is only so much more talking we can do, the time for action is now, before the last tiger vanishes " . For more information please contact: Belinda Wright, WPSI on +91 98 111 90690 Ashley Misplon, EIA on +91 98 112 89879 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 This invesigation showed truly shocking scale of illegal poaching. The Governments are very beauracratic and ineffective. If the tiger and leopard are to survive, NGO's like WWF, WCS, WPSI and others will have to do a lot more. They will need funds. Please read and sign the petition I sent. For convenience, I am including it below: Petition to Increase Funding for Tiger Conservation http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/214374227 Thanks, Anand aapn , " azam24x7 " <azamsiddiqui wrote: > > Wild Tigers on the Brink; Environmentalists Call for China and India > to Combat the Illicit Skin Trade > > Link: http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/27092006.php > Source: Wildlife Protection Society of India > > 27th September 2006 > Delhi > Environmentalists are calling on the governments of India and China > to take action against the criminals involved in the illegal skin > trade. The subject will be a major topic of discussion by the > international community attending the upcoming Convention on > International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Standing > Committee, who will be meeting in Geneva from 2 to 6 October 2006. > > Recent undercover investigations by the Environmental Investigation > Agency (EIA) > and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) revealed that > the trade in tiger and leopard skins in China and Tibet continues to > thrive, operating without any hindrance from the Chinese government > whilst driving India's wild tigers closer towards extinction. > > Investigators discovered that while the open use of tiger and > leopard skins for decorating costumes seemed to be in decline, > traders now appeared to be catering to an increased demand for the > use of whole tiger and leopard skins as home décor and prestigious > gifts. Consumers driving this demand include Chinese tourists, local > Chinese businessmen and government officials. > > Belinda Wright, Director of WPSI stated; " Despite many promises from > both the Indian and Chinese governments, no effective action has > been taken to crack down on the hardcore criminals behind the skin > trade. The governments involved are in a state of lethargy, and, in > the case of China, even appear to be condoning the trade. " > > In the markets of China, investigators documented the open and > easily accessible trade in tiger and leopard skins. In the space of > just ten days, investigators met 11 traders who offered them whole > tiger and leopard skins. The traders were clearly aware of the > illegality of their operations, but were unconcerned about the > threat of arrest or disruption by local authorities; one trader even > said that enforcement had decreased in the last two years. > > Debbie Banks, Head of EIA's Tiger Campaign, stated; " This trade is > run by highly organised criminal networks who have far too much > invested to let a few isolated raids and random seizures deter them. > If the governments are to stand a chance of combating this illegal > trade, they will need to recognise this and direct their enforcement > teams > to take more proactive, intelligence-led action. " > > The USA government has submitted a document for discussion at the > 54th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee on the illegal trade in > tiger parts. This document recommends that the members agree on > parameters for measuring progress by tiger range states to combat > the trade. If endorsed, Parties such as China and India would have > to show that sufficient action has been taken by April 2007, or risk > the suspension of trade in CITES listed species. > > EIA and WPSI call on all Parties to CITES to recognise the urgency > of the matter. They also urge the wider international community to > provide financial support and enforcement expertise to facilitate > the development of specialised, multi-agency enforcement units > capable of tackling the organised criminal networks behind this > illicit trade. > > Wright continued: " Enforcement is not controversial or the subject > of scientific debate. It is quite simply essential. The clock is > ticking for the tiger and there is only so much more talking we can > do, the time for action is now, before the last tiger vanishes " . > > For more information please contact: > > > Belinda Wright, WPSI on +91 98 111 90690 > Ashley Misplon, EIA on +91 98 112 89879 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 2, 2006 Report Share Posted October 2, 2006 Dear Mr. Anand, I can understand the frustration and anger we wildlife activists are going through everyday as the tiger gets pushed to the brink of extinction. But having said that one must understand that 'tiger conservation' is not something which we can force on someone no matter how rich or famous he/ she be. Its the same for any charitable cause in this planet. We simply cannot force. People are at liberty to voice for or just sit back and watch other people do good. People who have not done enough for animal welfare cannot be held at par with the tiger poachers. Well I think your petition : http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/214374227 " Urge ExxonMobil to increase funding for Tiger conservation " , has some harsh words and could instead cause damage to the present funding by Exxon is any with regards to 'tiger conservation'. In the petition you have written: " Tigers are facing increasing threats to their very survival in the wild from deforestation, illegal poaching/hunting and human-animal conflicts. ExxonMobil, the largest and most profitable corporation in the world has a tiger mascot to associate with the strength, power and beauty of the real tiger. Urge ExxonMobil to increase its funding for tiger and biodiversity conservation to 0.1% of Net profits every year ($36 Million in 2005). " There are many organisations and people who despite having no connections with animals as mascots are doing commendable contributions to animal welfare. One such example is Mr. Ratan Tata, of the famous TATA group in India. A mature leopard at Mumbai zoo which is now paralysed in Mumbai and is under severe pain was suggested euthanasia. But the keepers were not happy parting away with the animal which they had nursed with care for so many years. A newly formed NGO 'Vansmith' came forward with a brilliant idea and approached Mr. Ratan Tata. Mr. Tata immediately took interest in the case and asked a veterinary surgeon to fly down from South Africa to perform a surgery which may give a new lease of life to the leopard ( all expenses to credited to him ). This gesture of Mr. Ratan Tata is highly commendable. Such examples when highlighted by the media can also inspire other corporates to come forward. TATA does not have the leopard as their emblem or mascot, neither is the NGO 'Vansmith' known to most of us. But when done in the right way, things do go positive. So my friend, the idea is when we seek funding we must ensure that our words of expression do not come as a hurdle on or way. I can only hope Exxon does not react to the petition in a negative way. Regards, Azam Siddiqui aapn , " Anand A. Parikh " <aaptwo wrote: > > This invesigation showed truly shocking scale of illegal poaching. > The Governments are very beauracratic and ineffective. If the tiger > and leopard are to survive, NGO's like WWF, WCS, WPSI and others > will have to do a lot more. They will need funds. Please read and > sign the petition I sent. For convenience, I am including it below: > > Petition to Increase Funding for Tiger Conservation > > http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/214374227 > > Thanks, > Anand > > > aapn , " azam24x7 " <azamsiddiqui@> wrote: > > > > Wild Tigers on the Brink; Environmentalists Call for China and > India > > to Combat the Illicit Skin Trade > > > > Link: http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/27092006.php > > Source: Wildlife Protection Society of India > > > > 27th September 2006 > > Delhi > > Environmentalists are calling on the governments of India and > China > > to take action against the criminals involved in the illegal skin > > trade. The subject will be a major topic of discussion by the > > international community attending the upcoming Convention on > > International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Standing > > Committee, who will be meeting in Geneva from 2 to 6 October 2006. > > > > Recent undercover investigations by the Environmental > Investigation > > Agency (EIA) > > and the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) revealed that > > the trade in tiger and leopard skins in China and Tibet continues > to > > thrive, operating without any hindrance from the Chinese > government > > whilst driving India's wild tigers closer towards extinction. > > > > Investigators discovered that while the open use of tiger and > > leopard skins for decorating costumes seemed to be in decline, > > traders now appeared to be catering to an increased demand for the > > use of whole tiger and leopard skins as home décor and prestigious > > gifts. Consumers driving this demand include Chinese tourists, > local > > Chinese businessmen and government officials. > > > > Belinda Wright, Director of WPSI stated; " Despite many promises > from > > both the Indian and Chinese governments, no effective action has > > been taken to crack down on the hardcore criminals behind the skin > > trade. The governments involved are in a state of lethargy, and, > in > > the case of China, even appear to be condoning the trade. " > > > > In the markets of China, investigators documented the open and > > easily accessible trade in tiger and leopard skins. In the space > of > > just ten days, investigators met 11 traders who offered them whole > > tiger and leopard skins. The traders were clearly aware of the > > illegality of their operations, but were unconcerned about the > > threat of arrest or disruption by local authorities; one trader > even > > said that enforcement had decreased in the last two years. > > > > Debbie Banks, Head of EIA's Tiger Campaign, stated; " This trade is > > run by highly organised criminal networks who have far too much > > invested to let a few isolated raids and random seizures deter > them. > > If the governments are to stand a chance of combating this illegal > > trade, they will need to recognise this and direct their > enforcement > > teams > > to take more proactive, intelligence-led action. " > > > > The USA government has submitted a document for discussion at the > > 54th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee on the illegal trade > in > > tiger parts. This document recommends that the members agree on > > parameters for measuring progress by tiger range states to combat > > the trade. If endorsed, Parties such as China and India would have > > to show that sufficient action has been taken by April 2007, or > risk > > the suspension of trade in CITES listed species. > > > > EIA and WPSI call on all Parties to CITES to recognise the urgency > > of the matter. They also urge the wider international community to > > provide financial support and enforcement expertise to facilitate > > the development of specialised, multi-agency enforcement units > > capable of tackling the organised criminal networks behind this > > illicit trade. > > > > Wright continued: " Enforcement is not controversial or the subject > > of scientific debate. It is quite simply essential. The clock is > > ticking for the tiger and there is only so much more talking we > can > > do, the time for action is now, before the last tiger vanishes " . > > > > For more information please contact: > > > > > > Belinda Wright, WPSI on +91 98 111 90690 > > Ashley Misplon, EIA on +91 98 112 89879 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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