(IN): Cash to crack skin trade

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070529/asp/nation/story_7844898.asp

 

Cash to crack skin trade

OUR CORRESPONDENT

 

Srinagar, May 28: Mounds of garments will be destroyed in Kashmir as

part of the efforts to enforce the state's 10-year-old ban on fur trade.

 

Nearly 32 lakh rare animals, including snow leopards, red deer, musk

deer, brown bear, tigers and common leopards, were killed to produce

8.5 lakh garments. These are now being seized by the state's wildlife

authorities.

 

" The fur trade was banned in our state in 1997. Now, we have started

the process of collecting 8.5 lakh garments. These will be burnt over

the next couple of days and weeks, " said Rashid Naqash, the wildlife

warden of central Kashmir.

 

Before the ban, thousands in Kashmir made a living from fur trade,

selling garments in other states and abroad. " Animals were killed

outside the state, too, but Kashmir specialised in making fur

garments, " Naqash said.

 

The Farooq Abdullah regime had ordered the ban under pressure from

wildlife activists, but the clampdown had triggered strong protests by

fur traders. Two artisans, robbed off their livelihood, reportedly

committed suicide.

 

After the ban, the garments were being handed over to the authorities,

but the fur traders who had to bear the losses moved court for

compensation. " The court has now directed the government to pay

traders a compensation of Rs 9.42 crore. We are following the court

directive and collecting the hides from them, " Naqash said.

 

By agreeing to pay traders, the government has sent a strong message

against fur trade.

 

" We had received suggestions that these hides should be put on sale

but we have turned them down. We have decided to burn them, " said A.

K. Srivastava, the state's chief wildlife warden.

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