From NALINM@AOL.COM Sun Jan  2 14:51:40 2005
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:54:47 EST
From: NALINM@AOL.COM
To: nathistory-india@Princeton.EDU
Subject: Illegal Bird Trade (India)


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HINDU - Report on Illegal Bird Trade

FWD - HINDU DEC 21, 2004

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NEW DELHI, DEC. 20. Available: a hilly myna for Rs 3000, an owl for Rs
15,000, Parakeets and water birds for around Rs 500 each.

As government tightens the noose, wild bird poachers are fast shifting
their focus from smuggling to domestic markets in the garb of religion
and fashion, wildlife experts say.

From Jama Masjid in Delhi to Mehboob Chowk in Hyderabad, Old Moor Market
in Chennai and Bensen Town in Bangalore, wild bird trade continues to
flourish, the ban on their capturing and trade notwithstanding, says
Abrar Ahmed, a wildlife expert.

``More than 300 species of wild birds are caught and traded with
impunity. Over lakh birds are killed for their meat, besides a large
number used for taxidermy, black magic, religious and medicinal
purposes,'' says Abrar Ahmed, a wildlife expert and former Principal
Investigator, TRAFFIC (India).

Also, it is considered a status symbol to keep an exotic or rare bird as
pet. They come in the range of Rs 50-60,000, says Ahmed.

Delhi Police recently unearthed a wildlife smuggling racket operating in
the capital, arresting two persons and rescuing three rare Indian Great
Himalayan Horned Owls.

Each bird would have fetched a handsome Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 in the
by-lane wildlife market in the city, police said.

But Ahmed says this is just the tip of an iceberg. The ban is ineffective
as illegal bird trade flourishes in almost all cities, towns and rural
hamlets of the country.

Religion also plays a significant role in promoting wild bird trade.
``Many Jains, Buddhists and Hindus believe that releasing birds that are
held in captivity can purify the soul and relieve personal sins,'' says
Ahmed. On auspicious days, they go and buy these birds from traders and
release them.

``This has led to the development of a full-fledged business around
religious customs. Species of wild birds that are unsuitable for food are
captured and brought near these holy places for the devout to purchase
and re-release,'' he says.

But since they are captive birds, a large number die when released.
Others are captured again and brought back into business by the traders,
explains Bikram Grewal, a researcher and author of several books on
birds.

Ahmed conducted a study on the wild bird trade in India and found that
some important protected species like the horned owl were hunted for
black magic rituals and sorcery. A number of tribes use owls to purify
'amulets'.

Wild birds in large numbers are also caught every year and smuggled to
West Asian countries for falconry, says Ahmed noting nearly 30 - 40,000
birds are illegally exported from India every year.

Bird meat trade is also very popular and over one lakh birds are killed
in India for their meat every year, he says.

However, exact figures are not available due to the secretive nature of
the practice. But it is well-known that species ranging from pelican to
ducks and waders are caught for consumption, says Ahmed.

``It is not that the smuggling and exports of rare species has totally
stopped. It continues due to several loopholes in the law,'' says Grewal.

``While the law does not allow trade in Indian species, it allows
`exotic' species to be breeded and then exported. Under the garb of this
provision, traders export Indian wild birds as most inspectors at
airports and other places are not experts,'' says Grewal.

``Added to it is the huge loss during international transit. For every
bird that is illegally exported, two die en route,'' he says.

Ahmed suggests that the government should set up a bird trade working
group under the SAARC countries and a single organisation should monitor
the illegal export in the country.

There is also need to train custom inspectors and policeman on duty at
airports and railway stations to keep a check on the traders.

Nearly 5000 Chirimars are involved in this trade. They have no dearth of
knowledge and they can be rehabilitated by the government and involved in
cracking the smuggling of wild birds, he says.

PTI

http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/21/stories/2004122105980300.htm