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‘Not all animals migrate by choice’ campaign launched to raise awareness on illegal wildlife trade
Why in news?
- UN Environment and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has launched an awareness campaign for the protection of wildlife in the backdrop of rising illegal wildlife trade through airports.
- Recent media reports on seizures of illegally traded species and their parts at airports is a growing indication of rampant wildlife trafficking.
More in news
- About the campaign:(1) Campaign launched by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau of India and UN Environment aimed at airports across India.(2) The campaign complements worldwide action on illegal trade in wildlife.(3) Campaign will travel across 22 airports across India over the next year.
- Objectives:(1) It aims at creating awareness and garnering public support for the protection and conservation of wildlife, prevention of smuggling and reduction in demand for wildlife products.(2) The campaign also complements worldwide action on illegal trade in wildlife through UN Environment’s global campaign, Wild for Life.
- Animals focused in this campaign:(1) In the first phase of the campaign, Tiger, Pangolin, Star Tortoise and Tokay Gecko have been chosen as they are highly endangered due to illegal trading in International markets.(2) Phase two will see more threatened species and explore other routes of trafficking.
- Why these animals trafficked more?(1) Tiger is traded for its skin, bones and body parts.(2) Pangolin, the most illegally traded wild mammal on the planet is trafficked for its meat and its scales are used in traditional medicines.(3) Star Tortoise for meat and pet trade.(4) Tokay Gecko in traditional medicine mostly into South East Asia and particularly Chinese Markets.
- About WCCB:(1) WCCB is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the GoI under the MoEFCC, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.(2) Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated to collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities.(3) It assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.
Source
PIB