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Contents
Year 4 No. 25, September 2010
Editorial 2
Save the Wild Tiger to Save So Much More 3
Protected Forest Areas Declared 5
www.citesnepal.org
Amur Tigers to Get Protected Area on China-Russia Border 7
Two Crouching Tigers, Some Hidden Dragons 9
Communication Strategy for Tiger Conservation in Bangladesh 11
A Roaring Illegal Trade 15
Price: Rs 10/-
Wildlife News 18Editorial
T he politeness and soft-spoken nature of Chairman of Constituent Assembly Subhash Nemwang
is known not only to 601 constituent assembly members but also to those who listened to him at
public functions where he was invited as chief guest.
As a chief guest of National Conservation Day, he talked about the recent growth of tiger population in
Chitwan National Park, gharial releases in Nepali rivers and their ultimate destination in Indian rivers,
and more importantly based on parliament subcommittee reports accusing the forest ministry for not
being able to stop rampant illegal forest destruction.
But alas! Forest Minister and Secretary were not present at the occasion to listen to the accusations from
non other than country’s chief of legislative body.
In a similar manner, on 3rd September in yet another gathering of conservationists held at auditorium
of newly built building of National Trust of Nature Conservation (NTNC), Forest Minister who is
also Chairman of the trust proudly presented documentary on last year’s one hundred thousand tree
plantation. However, the Prime Minister refuted the documentary saying that the documentary should
be on what happened after a year of plantation rather than showing the last year's plantation fanfare.
These are the two simple examples of the growing concerns on nation’s challenging conservation works
by top executive and legislative level. There should be a mechanism to turn promptly concerns of this
magnitude into action.
•
With the theme of "Save the Wild Tiger and save so much more", National Conservation Day was celebrated
on September 23 2010. This day is represented as the day to commemorate to all the conservationists
who dedicated their lives for the conservation of the nature. The celebration of National Conservation
Day marks the anniversary of tragic helicopter crash in the Eastern region of Nepal in September 23
2006, which took lives of 26 prominent conservationists of Nepal. Conservation organizations like
ICIMOD, IUCN Nepal, NTNC, TMI, WCN, WWF Nepal and WWG took the initiative to honor this
day as National Conservation Day. The organizations proposed to the government to mark this day to
honor the deceased in 2007.
In 2007, the various conservation organizations including WWG celebrated this day as Conservation
Day in an informal manner. The government had not yet declared this day officially. In 2008, the first
National Conservation Day was celebrated after approval and declaration from the government. The
last year's theme was 'Climate for life: call of the Himalayas'. This year keeping in mind for 2010 as year
of the tiger, it is based on saving wild tigers.
2Save the Wild Tiger to Save So
Much More
Photo: WWG
Shyam S Bajimaya
T he admiration expressed
in the William Blake’s
poem has lost its significance
Tiger! Tiger! Burning Bright,
In the forests of the night;
Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
North Korea, Russia, Thailand
and Vietnam making concerted
in today’s materialistic world. What immortal hand or eye efforts towards the goal of
Along with tiger, many species doubling the number of tigers.
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
have been pushed to the brink of
extinction due to human greed William Blake Nepal began its new
and anthropogenic actions like conservation initiative with the
habitat destruction, poaching a short span of 40 years, three enactment of National Parks
and illegal trade. Thus, the fate species of tiger namely - Bali and Wildlife Conservation Act
of many species of flora and in 1940, Caspian in 1970 and in 1973. The implementation
fauna on this earth is at very Javan in 1980 become extinct of Act led to the creation of
crucial state of survival. from their natural habitat. For the first protected area of the
your information, just over a country - Chitwan National
Despite conservation efforts century, there were eight species Park to protect the declining
from local to the global levels, of tigers such as Amur, Bali, population of endangered
we have not succeeded to Caspian, Indo-Chinese, Javan, species such as tigers and
the extent possible with few Royal Bengal, South China and rhinos. Three national parks
exceptions to reverse the Sumatran with an estimated Chitwan, Bardia and Banke
declining population trend world population of 100,000 and two wildlife reserves
of the key indicator species, tigers in the wild. Parsa and Suklaphanta in Tarai
particularly the species with cover the key tiger population
high commercial values. As a Today, the world populations and their main habitats.
result, our own survival is also of tigers have abruptly The fourth amendment of
questionable. come down to merely 3,200 the Act is a landmark in
individuals, and consequently conservation for paradigm
The most fascinating predator, their distribution and habitat shift from conventional type
the tiger, is at the apex of have shrunk dramatically and of protected area management
food chain, except us humans. confined to only six percent of to a participatory approaches,
Although the tigers are regarded available habitat. The tiger range where sharing of 50% of the
as a symbol of power, virility countries and international
and fertility in the natural world communities have made their
and worshiped as a guardian commitment to double the tiger
of nature, like any other number by 2022, particularly
species, they too are also facing promoted by WWF in 2008.
tremendous pressure from the
unprecedented activities like The 14 tiger range countries are
poaching, illegal trade and Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
habitat loss. For instance, within China, India, Indonesia, Laos,
3meetings for shaping up the
future strategies and recovery
action plans for achieving the
critical target of doubling the
tiger population by 2022. To
mark the year of the tiger, GTI
plans to hold "Tiger Summit"
in St. Petersburg, Russia in
November 2010 for reaffirming
top-level commitments from
the heads of the government of
the tiger range countries, and
conservation partners and the
park revenue and people' on mutual cooperation in endorsement of the recovery
participation becoming resolving common cross- plans for saving tigers.
obligatory. border conservation issues as
well as explore development Nepal showed its commitment
Nepal with the support from opportunities. by establishing a high-
partners - WWF, FAO/UNDP/ level Tiger Conservation
GEF, National Trust for Nature Nepal is a member to several Coordination Committee under
Conservation and many others international conventions like the leadership of Rt. Honorable
has done commendable work CITES, CBD and became a Prime Minister. Likewise, the
in conservation of nature and member to Global Tiger Forum formation of Wildlife Crime
endangered species. This has in 2001. The Forum is a multi Control Bureau and initiation
been achieved by establishing a inter-governmental body for to create South Asia Wildlife
network of protected areas and the conservation of tiger in Enforcement Network for
taking a huge leap from species the wild. Nepal was elected combating wildlife crime are
to landscape level conservation chairperson of the Forum in process. Nepal also declared
with trans-boundary initiatives. in November 2004 and was Banke National Park to secure
A successful model even at reelected chair by the fourth more tiger habitats as part of its
global scale initiated in Nepal General Assembly of the Forum national commitment to double
in collaboration with WWF held in Kathmandu in March the tiger numbers. In fact, Nepal
Nepal and other conservation 2007. has already met the target of
partners is the 'Tarai Arc Millennium Development
Landscape", which covers an Recognizing the magnitude Goal by bringing about 24%
area of 49,500 sq. km extending of tiger crisis, World Bank coverage of country's area
from Bagmati river in the east President Robert Zoellick kicked under protected areas.
of Nepal to Yamuna river in off "Global Tiger Initiative" in
India, connecting 15 protected June 2008 for reversing the To mark the year of the tiger,
area networks. declining tiger populations. Nepal has successfully launched
"The Forgotten Crisis" meeting the cancellation of tiger postal
Nepal is also promoting in Pattaya, "Kathmandu Global stamp by the Rt. Hon. Prime
transnational cooperation with Tiger Workshop" in Nepal, "1st Minister recently. Beside these
India and China, and Nepal has Asia Ministerial Conference on achievements, I am aware
recently signed a memorandum Tiger Conservation" in Thailand, that the government has just
of understanding with China and high-level official meeting declared more wildlife habitats
and a resolution with India in Bali were the important under special management.
Excerpts from the key note speech delivered on 23 September on the occasion of National Conservation
Day at Nepal Academy Hall. Mr. Bajimaya is a former Director General of Department of National Parks
and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal
4Protected Forest Areas Declared
M r. Harihar Sigdel, Deputy
Director General of
Department of Forest on
Chitwan district, Panchase
Forest Area bio trail (18,000
hectares) of Parvat, Baglung,
National Conservation Day, Syanja districts, Madane Forest
declared the protected forest area (13,800 hectares) of Gulmi,
areas on 23 September 2010. Baglung, Pyuthan districts,
While he was speaking on the Laljhandi Mohana Forest area
occasion, some participants (24,664 hectares) of Kailali,
claiming to be from Federation Kanchanpur districts, Basanta
of Community Forest User Forest area bio trail (40,782
Group (FECOFUN) protested hectares) of Kailali district and
the declaration terming it as Khata Forest area bio trail (5000
anti-forest users group move hectare) of Bardia district.
from the government. They
demanded to withdraw it and Nepal has already shown its
left the program hall making commitment in National and
rest of the audience confused. International level by declaring
conservation areas (national
Reading the declaration parks, wildlife reserves,
statement, Mr. Sigdel said it hunting reserve), wetlands and
is based on the provision of world heritage sites. Previously, Photo: WWG
Forest Act 2049, Section 4 focus was on the sites and
Article 23 (1). The Forest Act protected areas for biodiversity
2049 empowered the ministry conservation. By realizing
to declare any part of the these areas alone was not
national forest as Protected enough for overall biodiversity
Forest Area if that forest has conservation, the need of
special ecological, scientific and inclusion of special forest areas
cultural value. The Ministry of and bio trails as protected area
Forest made this decision on 16 was felt.
September 2010 and the forest
department got an authority to Bio trail is an area or trail
prepare the management action joining two or more ecological
plan as per Article 24 of Forest sites where there is continuous
Act 2049, the statement reads. gene flow contributing to
species conservation. It also
The declared protected forest denotes an area whether
areas are: Barandabhar forest temporary or permanent where
area (10,400 hectares) of there is a potential of growth
5community based management
practices will create new
economic opportunities with
private sector participation and
joint management system. The
community and users group will
get seventy-five percent of the
income generated through eco
tourism in protected forest areas
to launch forest management,
community development and
income generation programs.
Protected Forest Area
Management Action Plan
of flora and fauna and their religious forest and protected
The management action plan
movement is possible. The leasehold forest. It assumes the
will be prepared with the
movement of animals from management model of bio trails
inclusion of following issues:
one natural habitat to another will be more inclusive in nature
The department of forest
will control inbreeding, help than previously practiced
then forwards the plan to the
in genetic diversity, increase management models.
ministry for approval and
in number of animals, help in
implementation.
conceiving animals, Declaration Protected areas are generally
and conservation of bio trail conservation oriented hence the Forest boundary and area
for endangered species like distribution of forest products covered
elephants, rhinos and tigers and non-timber forest products Participatory approach
help in maintaining and are restricted hampering the Forest conservation modus
developing world heritage sites household and agricultural operandi
which could lead a tourism activities. Those households, Forest management
development. Therefore, which are not included in the models
protected biodiversity at buffer zone, could be part of Conservation of natural
landscape level bio trails play this protected forest areas. resources, community
an important and sensitive role. development and livelihood
People participation is necessary The core areas of protected program
to conserve bio trails. forest areas are incorporated The benefit sharing
in bio trail development and mechanism of forest and
National forest, community conservation while fringe areas non timber products
forest and other forest areas are managed under forest The responsibility of the
fall under the bio trail and so management modalities. the program
with the people’s participation The fallen and laying trees in The program schedule,
such bio trails will be conserved the core areas of protected necessary resources and
and managed as protected forest areas can be collected monitoring methods
community forest, protected and utilized. Eco-tourism and Others
We would like to correct few of the errors in issue no 24, August 2010 of Wildlife Times
1. There should be May 7, 2010 instead of May 7, 2067 at last line of the page 5.
2. There should be Chief Secretary, Government of Nepal instead of Main Secretaries, HMG in page 6.
3. There should be Minister, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation- Member Secretary.
We regret for the inconvenience caused.
6Amur Tigers to Get Protected Area on China-
Russia Border
Photo: WWG
H UNCHUN, China,
August 31, 2010 (ENS)
- China's Jilin province and
sub-species is now believed to
number just 500 animals in the
wild.
year's festival, which featured
such events as tiger conservation
and economic development
the neighboring Primorsky forum, costume parade, art
province in Russia have agreed The agreement was signed performances and an ecological
to jointly establish the world's during the second annual Amur tour of tiger habitat.
first transboundary protected Tiger Cultural Festival in the
area for the endangered Amur northeastern Chinese city of The agreement was signed by
tiger. Hunchun. officials with the Jilin Provincial
Forestry Department of China
Also called the Siberian tiger, The China-Russia agreement and two Russian agencies:
Panthera tigris ssp. altaica, this was one of the highlights of this the Wildlife and Hunting
7in northeastern China. Among
that population, 20 tigers have
been periodically spotted within
the borders of China’s Jilin and
Heilongjiang provinces.
As part of the new pact, Jilin
and Primorsky provinces will
increase information sharing on
Amur tiger and Far East leopard
Photo: WWG protection and work to adopt
Department of Primorsky according to a comprehensive identical monitoring systems
province and Special Inspection 2005 population census for tigers and their prey.
TIGER of Russia, which is the led by Dale Miquelle of the
official name of the Bureau Russian Far East Program and They agreed to conduct joint
on Protection of Rare and Wildlife Conservation Society, ecological surveys and develop
Endangered Species of Flora Vladivostok, Russia. plans to launch an anti-
and Fauna. poaching campaign along the
However, after having been China-Russia boarder.
"A new transboundary protected stable for more than a decade
area would provide a wider due to intensive conservation The agreement marks another
and healthier habitat for Amur efforts, partial surveys milestone during the Chinese
tigers and other endangered conducted in subsequent winters Year of the Tiger in 2010. WWF
species, such as the Far East indicate that the Russian tiger launched the TX2 campaign
leopard, musk deer and goral," population is declining. early this year, which seeks to
said Yu Changchun, director of double the number of wild tigers
the Conservation Department "Because tigers in this region by the next Year of the Tiger in
within the Jilin Forestry require large territories 2022. A groundbreaking tiger
Department. to acquire sufficient prey, conservation declaration from
current strictly protected the 13 countries that still have
The number of Amur tigers in areas, comprising 3.4 percent wild tiger populations was
China is estimated at between (10,300 km2) of the region, are prepared in Bali, Indonesia
18 and 22, according to the unlikely to prevent extirpation in July this year, and is due
Chinese government in 2007, of the subspecies in the face of to be signed before the close
and it is not known if any still expanding forestry and external of Year of the Tiger at a tiger
survive in North Korea. demand for tiger parts," conservation summit hosted by
Miquelle and his co-author Russia. The Declaration seeks to
The Amur tiger now occurs wrote in a 2006 article in the create a tiger recovery program
primarily in Russia, where it has "Journal of Applied Ecology." that is global in scope while
made a spectacular comeback also promoting transboundary
since the 1930s, when the Destruction and fragmentation cooperation amongst the 13
population fell as low as 20 to of habitat, poaching and lack of tiger range countries.
30 animals. prey have reduced the number
of wild Amur tigers. One of six Nepal and India signed a joint
Today, there are 331 to 393 remaining subspecies of tigers, resolution at the end of July to
adult and sub adult Amur tigers (and sometimes referred to as jointly conserve biodiversity
in the Russian Far East, with a Siberian tiger), the Amur tiger including tigers, and strengthen
an adult breeding population is primarily found in eastern ecological security in the
of approximately 250, Russia, with a small number transboundary region.
8Two Crouching Tigers, Some
Hidden Dragons
Photo: WWG
Barun S Mitra
T iger is an iconic animal in
culture and history of both
China and India. There are
completely eliminating all trade
of tiger parts.
reduced. In some of these parts,
forests have made a dramatic
comeback. Some of these old
perhaps two dozen tigers left Recently there were some tiger habitats could be ready
in the wild in China, mostly indications that there is perhaps again to host wildlife.
along the Siberian border. a shift from this mutual blame
India currently estimates that game. India recently recognized China is seriously looking for
about 1400 tigers are roaming that protecting tigers is ways of reintroducing tigers in
in the wild. But a controlled manner,
globally, tiger is a in a few areas where
highly endangered tigers once roamed.
species, and remains Hardly any country
so despite many has as much expertise
initiatives launched and experience
to save it over the of managing tiger
past four decades. habitats as India. With
recent relocation
India believes that of tigers into areas
the demand for tiger from where they had
parts in traditional vanished, India is
Chinese medicine also grappling with
is one of the major similar problems.
sources of threat
to tigers in Indian China does not have
forests. Others think wild tigers ready for
that the pressure of poaching primarily India's responsibility, translocation. so they have set
to meet demand in China since the Chinese do not come up an ambitious effort to try
constitutes a smaller threat, to India to poach the tigers. to develop ways of re-wilding
about 25%. The bulk of the tigers that have been born in
threat to tigers in India comes China, on the other hand, captivity. This is a very exciting
from shrinking forest habitat is exploring alternative scientific opportunity.
and the consequent conflict conservation strategies.
between human and wildlife. following its economic rise, In both these aspects,
increasing number of people preparation of tiger habitat, re-
Tiger conservation is not are finding non-rural economic wilding and reintroduction of
primarily an issue of law opportunities, as a result, the tiger, China and India could
enforcement. India has human pressure on forest cooperate, and if successful, it
problem of protecting its tigers, and wild areas in many parts would secure not just the tiger,
just as China has problem in of China have significantly but generate huge amount of
9goodwill between the elephant
and the dragon!
China poses an even more
audacious challenge to old
conservation mindset. It has
almost perfected the art of
breeding tigers in captivity.
It has more than 5000 tigers
in captivity in zoos and other
facilities. It could initiate a
controlled trade in tiger parts
from its captive tigers, and that
could lower the incentive to
poachers to kill wild tigers.
Even if India does not wish to
join in this effort to help the
cause of conservation through
commerce, it stands to gain if
China is successful in meeting
the demand for tiger parts from
its stock of captive tigers.
From the history of world
trade, it is clear that smugglers
and criminals profit only when
there is a restriction on trade,
creating an unmet demand for
goods and services. Naturally,
when trade is outlawed, only
outlaws trade! If China were
to legalize trade in tiger parts
from its breeding facilities, the
poachers in India would have
little chance of competing with
the market forces. Consequently,
threat of poaching will almost
get eliminated in India. There
are many examples from across
the world where legal trade has
eliminated illegal trade. Over a
million crocodiles are harvested
each year from farms, yet there
is hardly any evidence of any
crocodile being killed in India
in order to meet the demand
from the international fashion
industry.
Excerpts from the article published in India-China Chronical, Vol 1, Issue 1, Jul-Aug, 2010. The Author is Director of Liberty
Institute, New Delhi, India
10Communication Strategy for Tiger
Conservation in Bangladesh
T he Sundarbans Tiger
Project of Wildlife Trust of
Bangladesh on 13-17 organized
a workshop titled ‘Developing
a conservation education and
community outreach strategy
for tiger conservation in
Bangladesh’ March 2010. This
was a first step to develop a
communication strategy for
tiger conservation in Bangladesh
to support the Bangladesh
Tiger Action Plan 2009-2017
(BTAP). The workshop was
designed based on best practice
approaches in Communication,
Education and Public
Awareness (CEPA) developed
by the International Union
for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) for the Convention on
Biodiversity (CBD) and Ramsar
Wetland International.
The Sundarbans Tiger Project
organized the workshop with
the vision to bring together
key leaders from stakeholder
groups interested in or already
involved in Sundarbans and tiger
conservation to advice on the
development of a Conservation
Education and Community
Outreach (CE &CO) strategy
in support of the Bangladesh
Tiger Action Plan (BTAP).
11The workshop was the first step behaviors are the best to target prioritizing behavior change
in bringing the BTAP to a larger for change. It also helps identify towards a future positive
audience of potential partners the interventions, which lead change for the tiger and
including Forest Department, to the desired behaviors of the ended with Evaluation and
local and national NGOs, local target audiences to conserve Recommendations. It was
community people, and media tiger and the Sundarbans a participatory approach
personnel; and laid the first and allowed ample time for
building bricks for developing a The workshop adopted a discussion and participation.
communication roadmap. The hybrid methodology to CEPA This multi-stakeholder
BTAP lays the groundwork for mainly based on Ramsar Action workshop process was aimed
tiger conservation activities in Planning Guide and the CEPA at fostering a climate of trust
Bangladesh. However, there is toolkit of CBD. This consisted and creativity, building the
need to plan a communication of several steps starting with confidence and motivation of
strategy that helps understand Introduction and learn by doing, stakeholders to contribute.
what community/audience meaningful dialogue with local
is best to target, who the stakeholders including FD The primary objectives of the
influencers are, and what staff, experiencing Sundarbans, workshop were to develop
12an integrated CE & CO change pathways and therefore regular communication among
Strategy in support of the a communication strategy the workshop participants.
BTAP, develop a draft BTAP that will include the target A network/collaboration
CE & CO implementation audiences, the influencers, and is necessary to enable the
plan including research and the best behaviors to target for participating organizations
campaign milestones, build in change also the intervention to work together for tiger
country capacity by training ideas. Subsequently, the conservation. There is also
participants in the following: implementation plan will be need to reach out further with
Communication, Education, developed in another multi- the Forest Department to
Participation and Awareness stakeholder workshop. develop the strategy further as
(CEPA) methodology; social FD is the major stakeholder
marketing techniques; and in One of the major objectives of Sundarbans and key
how to plan, design, implement, of the workshop was to implementation partner of the
evaluate and monitor a CE & create a platform from which strategy. An effective follow up
CO strategy and subsequent prospective partners can process will to be developed
implementation plan. collaborate and participate in by STP to ensure continual
developing a multi-stakeholder participant involvement and
The main objective of the communication strategy for tiger completion of the strategy
workshop was to develop a CE conservation in Bangladesh. development stage is necessary
& CO strategy in support of the This was satisfactorily achieved local communities should
BTAP. But after the workshop in the workshop as noted be involved in the strategy
the participants had a better by the participants in the development process through
idea about the whole strategy evaluation session. However, knowledge, attitudes and
development process and they this objective is ongoing and so practices (KAP) survey, FGDs and
found that it is not possible they must continue to work on collaborative implementation
to develop a whole strategy maintaining participation and plan. All the assumptions made
in 5 days workshop. The involvement constantly. by the participants regarding
participatory process gave the behavior change, KAP and
opportunity to look at the tiger The workshop was also an communications interventions
conservation from different opportunity for the participants during the strategy development
perspectives and motivated to develop their own capacity process, must be validated by the
everyone to work further in strategy development target audiences through focus
on it. It involved conducting using CEPA methods and group discussions (FGDs) and
formative research in the target social marketing techniques. surveys to develop an effective
population on conservation Participants agreed that this and efficient communication
behaviors, knowledge, attitudes workshop provided guidance strategy and implementation
and plan intervention program tools on developing effective plan. Direct communication
to provide messages, services, conservation strategies focusing with the target audiences is
support and/or benefits to on behavior change and the necessary to complete the KAP
get the desired behavior. The role of communication in this surveys and FGDs. WTB need
workshop was first phase of process. to build skills of the STP team
developing this roadmap. This to undertake these FGDs and
groundwork will form the The key recommendations came surveys.
basis for next steps in further forward from the evaluation
developing the behavior session, firstly, to establish
13Wildlife Watch Group Publication
Wildlife Watch Group has been publishing books on the issues of wildlife and conservation. Following books
can buy from WWG office at Pulchowk or Saraswoti Book Centre at Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur.
The lists of books available at Wildlife Watch Group are:
There’s some monkey business Conservation heroes: Their
going on here legacy lives on
Mangal Man Shakya and Lucia de WWG and WWF Nepal:
Vries: Price Nrs. 1500, US$ 25, Euro 15
Price Nrs. 100, US$ 2, Euro 1,5 ISBN: 978-99946-820-6-5
ISBN: PHONIXSTUDIOS SN 0045-1
Cost of Conflict on Nepal’s Armed Conflict and
Conservation Efforts Conservation: Case studies from
Editors: Mangal Man Shakya and around the world
Anil Chitrakar: Editors: Mangal Man Shakya and
Price Nrs. 700, US$ 10, Euro 9, Arzu R Deuba:
ISBN:978-99946-820-1-6 Price: Nrs.1500 US$ 25, Euro 20,
ISBN: 978-99946-820-7-2
Gharial Conservation in Nepal g]kfnsf] ;+/If0f If]qdf ;z:q
Dr. Tirtha Man Maskey: åGåsf] k|efj
Price Nrs.1000, US$ 16, Euro 12, jGohGt' lgu/fgL ;d"x
ISBN: 978-99946-820-4-1 ISBN: 978-999-46-820-8-9
Tiger Warden From the jungle to Kathmandu:
Laxmi Badan Maskey: Horn and Tusk Trade
Price 400, Esmond Bradley Martin:
ISBN: 978-99946-820-2-7 Price Nrs: 1000, US$ 30, Euro 20,
ISBN: 978-999-46-820-9-6
Trading for Extinction:
Conflict and Conservation: An expose of illegal wildlife
Himalayan Biodiversity on the Trade in Nepal
brink Mangal Man Shakya:
Mangal Man Shakya and Anil Price: 450, US$ 7, Euro 6
Chitrakar: ISBN: 999933-885-6-4
Price: Nrs. 400,
ISBN: 978-99946-820-0-8
14A Roaring Illegal Trade
Rashvinjeet S. Bedi
W ildlife trader Anson Wong
is not alone when it comes
to employing ‘questionable’
high profits. In fact, it is so
lucrative that Elizabeth John,
senior communication officer
methods in the trade. for Traffic (The Wildlife Trade
Monitoring Network), is
Many might wonder what hesitant in saying the current
wildlife trader Anson Wong price for the various species of
was thinking when he decided animals in the market.
to smuggle 95 boa constrictors,
two rhinoceros vipers and a “Discussing prices only
mata mata turtle in his luggage. encourages people to go out,
Was he desperate, arrogant, or catch wildlife and sell them. Illegal trade in
just plain stupid to take such a Just look at how talk of high
risk? prices are driving the current wildlife is the
tokay gecko collection craze,” second biggest
But he is not the only one to she says.
have employed “questionable” illegal trade in
methods in the trade. Illegal trade in wildlife is the
second biggest illegal trade the world after
Last month, a woman was in the world after narcotics. narcotics. Interpol
caught trying to smuggle a Interpol experts estimate that
tiger cub in her luggage at wildlife smuggling is worth experts estimate
the Suvarnabumi Airport in US$10bil to US$20bil a year.
Bangkok. that wildlife
The trade is diverse, ranging smuggling is
The two-month-old cub, which from live animals and plants
was reportedly destined for to a vast array of wildlife worth US$10bil to
customers in Iran, was sedated products, including food items,
and hidden among stuffed tiger leather goods, wooden musical US$20bil a year.
toys in the suspect’s carry-on instruments, timber, tourist
luggage. curios and medicines.
Other people have been caught In 2009, 129 major or model
smuggling animals like birds wildlife law enforcement actions
and lizards in their clothes. by South-East Asian authorities
across seven countries were
Illegal trade in wildlife is reported. These resulted in 156
considered to be a low risk job arrests and 45 convictions.
that yields
15But, she says, “Some animals
and plants are rare and
more vulnerable. They need
protection and can’t be
traded.”
This is where the Convention
on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) comes
into play.
An international agreement
between governments that
aims to ensure that trade in
specimens of wild animals
and plants does not threaten
their survival, CITES works by
subjecting international trade
in specimens of selected species
to certain controls.
Cute and Cuddly : A Thai veterinarian playing with the tiger cub that had been found drugged These are categorized as
and hidden among stuffed toy tiger in the suitcase of a women flying from Bangkok to Iran. Appendix 1, 2 or 3. Appendix 1
lists animals that are threatened
with extinction and trade is
More than 18,545 animals “The trade crosses borders.
permitted only in exceptional
were recovered alive; in total, Malaysia plays a role as a transit
circumstances. Animals on the
over 267 tonnes of wildlife point and source country.
appendix 2 and 3 lists are less
and derivative products were As other countries are losing
vulnerable but trade is still
confiscated, with a minimum wildlife, Malaysia is a target,”
controlled.
estimated black market value says John.
of RM124mil.
Because of potential profits,
Malaysia is considered to be
smugglers often take the risk
And Malaysia is in the spotlight one of the most diverse sources
and smuggle animals that are
because of Wong’s exploits. of wildlife in the world, she
not supposed to be traded.
Known as the “Asian wildlife adds.
kingpin” and the “Lizard King”,
In this trade there are kingpins,
Wong was previously jailed in “We have some of the most
middlemen, collectors – and
the US for seven years. unique and rarest animals in the
customers, of course.
world, among them orangutan,
For his latest brush with the tigers, tapirs, pangolins and
The demand exists because
law, Wong, who was caught in turtles.”
there are people who want to
transit to Jakarta from Penang,
display a tiger skin on their wall,
received a six-month jail John points out that a large part
or who believe that pangolins
sentence and RM195,000 fine, of the wildlife trade is legal.
can cure asthma. (Pangolins,
which many considered a slap
which are the most traded
on the wrist for him. “If not, we wouldn’t be able to
species, can cost up to RM220
eat a lot of the fish that we eat
per kg. The scales, believed to
But the wildlife trade in Malaysia and use the timber that we do
have medicinal properties, can
is beyond Wong alone. on a daily basis.”
fetch up to RM800 per kg.)
16And there are people who pieces of ivory found inside
believe that eating tiger parts can a container labelled as white
improve their sexual prowess wood from Nigeria.
while others simply like to keep
endangered animals for their Due to the high yields, someone
exotic value (see accompanying with a legal permit to trade
stories). could also misuse it, John says.
John says smugglers devise “For example, you only declare
many different ways to smuggle 500 live cobras when there are
the wildlife. actually 1,000. Is the officer
going to verify the number?”
A tiger could be chopped up
before being sold to restaurants, Wildlife trafficking is also
she says. increasingly being linked to
organised crime, she says,
“The other parts such as teeth, citing the example of the 300 "Why are people like Wong still given
claws, penis, skin and whiskers Madagascar tortoises found licences to trade?" M. Surendran,
could be sold separately. Once with narcotics in an unclaimed President of Malaysia Animal Right Society.
you cut up the animal, it would bag at the Kuala Lumpur
be quite easy to smuggle the International Airport in June.
parts across the border.”
In July, a police raid on a stolen He says that while such zoos
Tiger meat from Malaysia has car syndicate also netted a huge might have legitimate breeding
been known to make it all the collection of endangered wild programmes, they also act as a
way to China. animals. The prized seizure transit point for animals from
at the warehouse in Taman all over the world.
John also says that it is quite Wahyu, Kuala Lumpur, was a
common for pangolins to be pair of the rare bird of paradise, “With this front, they can
smuggled in consignments of also known as cenderawasih import and export animals. It
frozen fish. In another instance, in Malay, which supposedly looks legitimate,” he explains.
monitor lizards were smuggled has the power to bring good
in a lorry full of garlic to mask fortune to its owner. The pair Showing some documents to
their smell. is said to be worth RM1mil on prove his point, he claims that
the wildlife black market. a zoo in Johor was found to
Recently, Customs officers in be breaching regulations over
Hong Kong seized 384 elephant President of Malaysia Animal and over again but it is still in
tusks packed in two shipping Rights Society (ROAR) N. operation.
containers that came into the Surendran wonders why people
city’s port from Tanzania. like Wong are still given licences As for Wong’s conviction,
to trade despite his reputation Surendran says Perhilitan
The ivory valued at RM4.4mil as a known wildlife smuggler. cannot claim any triumph to
entered Hong Kong via Malay- catching him red-handed.
sia and were transported in “They are giving him free run,”
packages declared as “dried he says, referring to Perhilitan. “That was uncovered by airport
anchovies”. security. Perhilitan was only
Surendran also believes that involved in the prosecution.
In January this year, Hong private zoos and theme parks act It was not as if Perhilitan
Kong Customs also seized 186 as a front for the illegal trade. conducted a sting operation.”
17Leopard attack kills child Female recruited as Guard Deputy Conservation Officer
for National Park said that security job is
challenging but fruitful job for
Bardia, September 5. The women. He said that people are
relatives who lost their dear attracted to this job because of
ones due to animal attacks challenges and excitement.
have found employment in the
Parks. The women of Buffer Rhino birth gives joy to
Zone of Bardia National Park Bardia National Park
have found job opportunities as
Kaski, August 6. A four year security guards in the Park. Kathmandu September 6. Park
old child of Kalika VDC died staffs are celebrating the birth
due to leopard attack. Bipana The women involved in this job of first rhino in two years at
Timilsina, daughter of Surya are satisfied. Twenty five years Bardia National Park since
Raj Timilsina, was attacked by old Parvati Acharya is enjoying the government started anti-
the leopard at six in the evening the work. Her father had died poaching measures.
near her house. The corpse after being attacked by the
was found the next morning elephant. Another one-horned rhino calf
in pieces according to Bindu was spotted with the mother
Adhikari, a local. There are four women involved by park staff during a recent
in the guarding of the Park. elephant patrol in Bardia.
The relatives and locals went They want to prove themselves
for search after the leopard took as able and independent. Supported by experts from the
the child away. In the evening, Acharya said that she is ready Zoological Society of London
clothing items were found and to walk as much as possible and (ZSL) and a grant from the
the body was found in pieces face any difficulty. Darwin Initiative, a systematic
in the morning. The leopard anti-poaching and monitoring
attacked the child while she Being born and raised in the patrols are carried out by the
was on her way to her home Buffer Zone area, she loves Department of National Parks
from neighbor's house. animals and the forests. Her and Wildlife Conservation
married life became happy after (DNPWC) and the National
The mother, Narayani Timilsina, she took the job. Trust for Nature Conservation
fell unconscious after the death (NTNC) to protect this
of her daughter and was taken to Shanti Saud working as guard endangered animal.
the hospital. Suryaraj Adhikari, lost her husband. Her husband
a local, informed that VDC has was killed by the elephant of Nepal's rhino population has
asked for permission to kill the the Park. She is responsible for been subjected to intensive
leopard and the forest office taking care of seven members poaching over the past decade.
has been told informally. of her family. Ramesh Thapa, Now less than 450 rhino remain
18kept at the Janta High School
as told by the teacher Hom
Bahadur Gurung. Although
the locals are taking care of the
turtle, they are unknown about
the feeding behavior of the
turtle and have asked helped
from District Forest Office to
show interest in the matter.
Even though local newspaper
has stated it as a rare turtle, no
specifications have been made
whether the turtle found is rare
type or not.
in Bardia and Chitwan National He was captured by the team of Seven rhinos in one
Park and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Deputy Conservation Officer Community Forest
Reserve. Kamaljung Kunwar. According
to Kunwar, Panta was associated Bardia, September 9. Shiva
The elephant patrol teams have with renowned illegal wildlife Community Forest (CF) found
also seen success in Chitwan trader Yakche. Yakche is a in Buffer Zone of Bardia
National Park, where a female renowned smuggler of wildlife National Park has seven one
calf was recently rescued after parts in Nepal and China. He horned rhinos. The number
being separated from its mother has been in wildlife trade for last rose in a recent time.
during the monsoon. two decades and has smuggled
as many as 20 rhino horns. The experts say that Shiva CF
Release of Illegal trader According to Gopal Prasad is a perfect place for rhino
before the date Panta, Chief Conservation habitat. This forest is linked
Officer, Gokul was fined 1 with taduwa-Khata corridor.
Chitwan September 7. Gokul lakh rupees. According to The rhino gave birth in this
Panta of Narayangadh involved Megh Bahadur Pandey, Gokul jungle recently according to
in the trading of horns of rhinos was also subjected to 15 years a local RamKrishna Tharu.
has been released before the imprisonment. Before, the rhinos were seen
scheduled time. Even though he only occasionally but now their
was to be released in April 29, Rare turtle found numbers have increased.
2011, he was released on August
30, 2010. He left for abroad Lamjung September 8. A rare Deputy Conservation Officer
after the release. The Chitwan turtle has been found in Rinus Ramesh Thapa said, "even
National park is unaware of Mohoriyakot VDC of Eastern though the CF has rhino with
the release. According to the Lamjung. The turtle found near child does not mean the birth
Park, he was captured in 2063 Janta High School weighed took place there only".
Baisakh and was given 15 years about two kilograms as stated
in prison and one hundred by the locals. The rhinos of Chitwan have
thousand fine. He appealed been trans-located at Bardia and
to the court in Hetauda. In The locals have never seen any Shuklaphanta. In 2008 census,
November 17, 2008, the court turtle in their village and are there are 408 rhinos in Nepal.
decreased his prison terms from stunned by the discovery. The The grassland near the river
15 to 5 years. His release date school is crowded with the and jungles are ideal habitat
was in 2011. spectators. The female turtle is for rhinos. Excess grasses in
19the National Park are the cause for rhinos to be Owl hunters arrested
found at CF.
The increase in number of rhinos has ultimately
led to increase in patrolling and security. The
conserved animals move from the corridor to
Katarniyaghat Wildlife Reserve in India. The
Nepal Army patrols upto Kothiyaghat. The local
youth club also supports the program. There are
28 rhinos at Bardia National Park according to
Deputy Conservation Officer.
Rally to save Vultures Kathmandu September 11. The police arrested
three people involved in illegal trading of
Brown Fish Owl. The police arrested these
people red handed when they were dealing for
the owl in Gothathar. The police arrested Tilak
Bahadur Khadka, Prem Bahadur Bamjan of
Sindhupalchowk and Srijana Khatri of Jorpati.
According to Rana Bahadur Chand, DSP of
Kathmandu Crime Branch Khadka and Bamjan
used to bring Owls in the residence of Srijana
Khatri. Three of them have been sent to Hanuman
Dhoka for further investigation. The police have
not been able to get hold of the buyers yet.
Bardia September 10. Bardia Nature Conservation
Club, Thakurdwara, on the Day of International The illegal traders have to serve two years in
Vulture Conservation Day, organized motorcycle prison or ten thousand fines according to the
rally. The rally started from Thakurdwara National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act
covering eleven VDCs of Rajapur area and many 2049. Brown Fish Owl are found in South Asia
other VDCs of Bardia District. and South Africa.
The Day was celebrated from last year to These owls have high economic values in
conserve the habitat of vultures and to prevent Pakistan.
use of diclofenac medicine for domestic animals
which is a prime cause of death of vultures.
The government from 2009 has banned the APPEAL
distribution and use of diclofenac but the use is
Dear valued readers,
still continuing.
The 25th issue of the Wildlife Times is in your hands.
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forward to your queries, comments and support.
Published by: Wildlife Watch Group (WWG), GPO Box 8975, EPC 696, Machaagal-20, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal Phone: +977-1-5524188, 5555018,
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