Step to Stop wildlife Trade

Effect of globalization and liberalization has now widened its area and now broken the boundaries of economy. Before globalization, every country and community was struggling with problems of having limited resources, but globalization has given an opportunity to join hand across the globe to solve any problem. The issues related to Planet earth have power to unite the world especially when it’s a matter of threat to Mother Nature. For the last few years, due to extensive development; nature has faced a severe threat with not only exploitation of natural resources but also of wild lives.

Reason can be anything like greed of money, entertainment or requirements, but due to selfishness of human being many species came on verge of extinction. On the contrary, it is harmful to human being but effect on then is relatively slow. We may avoid it due to our reluctant behavior, but diseases due to air pollution and effects of ever increasing global warming post a dark shadow to our nearby future.

Amidst of all bad news related to flora and fauna, one news has created a cause to cheer-up and brought hope of joy in future. India and America decided to join hands to tackle illegal wildlife trade. Wild life trade has annual turnover of billions of dollars (WWF-India, reports, USD 10-20 billion wildlife trade annually, and is among the largest sources of illegal trade). In a roundtable conference organized by two global organizations, US Embassy and WWF/TRAFFIC India, the government of these two countries with wildlife lawyers, NGO’s representatives and many activists discussed challenges and successes in combating wild life trading and trafficking. After the meeting, a joint statement was issued in which it was declared that,

"The United States and India have worked together on wildlife conservation for over 25 years. We will continue to work together to combat poaching, manage our wildlife resources, improve enforcement capacity, and reduce consumer demand for illegal wildlife products."

Since 1976, India is a member of the Cites (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora). CITES is an international agreement between governments of various countries that aims to ensure any trade of wild animals must not threaten their survival.

But like any agreement on papers does not ensure its proper enforcement on ground. India has always struggled to protect its wildlife and natural wealth. Extensive exploitation approved by government is threatening survival of its wildlife species. To stop illegal trade there are no stringent laws or heavy penalties. Over the years India has become one of the leading suppliers in black market of the most coveted wildlife products like Tigers, Rhinos, birds and plant species.

Still it is only a step ahead towards eradicating this problem. Path is not easy, therefore, everyone’s indulgence and commitment is required to tackle and obliterate this for always.