Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Link: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070028748 & ch=10/9/2007\ %2012:53:00%20PM * J & K authorities destroy animal skin * Fayaz Bukhari Tuesday, October 9, 2007 (Srinagar) The Wildlife Department in Jammu and Kashmir has destroyed animal skins and garments valued at around Rs 50 crore. The authorities say all these pieces were surrendered by furriers in Kashmir after the government banned the fur trade. Furriers had in May last year surrendered over one lakh animal skins of 28 species of endangered wild animals, 20,000 garments and 7,500 assorted skin pieces to the officials. They were lying with them since 1997 when the government banned fur trade in the valley. As per the estimates of Wildlife Department over 20 lakh animals were killed for this. It is one of the biggest collections of animal skins to be destroyed in Kashmir. The collection included snow leopards, clouded leopards, black leopards, tigers, mongoose, hyena. But instead of recycling them, the government destroyed the skins. ''Without caring for financial gains we have destroyed many wild animal skins. The government is giving compensation to the dealers so that no stock is left and illegal trade is stopped,'' said Mir Mansoor, Chief Wild Life Biologist. *Once a hub* The Kashmir Valley was once the hub of the fur trade with skins being brought from all over India for making garments. After pressure from wildlife conservation groups the government banned fur trade in 1997. Since then government and fur traders had been locked in a legal battle over compensation, which was settled in May this year. These skins and garments were surrendered only after the court direction. ''This event is very significant. Nowhere has such a vast stock of wild animals skins has been destroyed. Without caring for financial gains, the government destroyed the skins. They could have recycled them,'' said A K Srivastava, Chief Wild Life Warden J & K. By destroying endangered animal skins, government has sent a strong message to ban the lucrative trade that has consumed lives of thousands of precious wild animals. -- Fight captive Jumbo abuse, end Elephant Polo http://www.stopelephantpolo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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