Illegal trade of wildlife in Nepal and its effect on future generation

Wildlife trade refers to the commerce of products that are derived from non- domesticated animals or plants usually extracted from their natural environment or raised under controlled conditions. Trade of living or dead individuals tissues such as skins, bones or meat or other products are directly involved in it. Trading of such wild parts illegally is termed as illegal wildlife trade. It is widespread and contributes one of the major illegal economic activities compared to drugs trafficking.

Illegal trade in wildlife products is a subject that has received less concern in Nepal. The illegal trade of live animals and birds or of wildlife parts may be a major source of income for many of Nepal’s low and high income families. Having transformed from a traditional livelihood to an underground crime, this trade has reached its peak in the country. Until and unless serious steps are taken by the government to formulate an efficient action plan to stop this illegal trade, many of the country’s endangered species may be wiped out. Wildlife trade is perhaps the most immediate threat to animals in many parts of Nepal. Around the globe, wildlife is being bought and sold on an increasingly massive scale as pets, meat and food, as medicines, furs, feathers, skins and trophies. Hunting of wild animals in Nepal has been carrying on for many centuries. The display of hunting trophies by members of the royal family is an age-old practice symbolizing social status. During Rana regime (1846-1950) the state used to pay for the taxonomy and the transportation of animals to India and England as gifts. Traditionally, wild animals were also hunted and their parts are used in certain rituals, medicines and small-scale business. The people of Manang district for example, were entitled to do business in wildlife products across the country with custom duty exemptions. They mainly traded herbs, musk pods, bear gall bladders and other such products. Trade in wildlife and its derivatives were a regular practice done amongst the ruling class of Kathmandu valley. It wasn’t until 1973 that a law was passed, which stated that trade in wildlife parts was illegal, unless permission was obtained fro the government. This made hunting and trading unlawful and made violators of this law subject to strict punishment. Nevertheless, the killing of certain wildlife species still continues to expand.  Nepal continues to be one of the major supplier of wildlife goods. Some of the most traded commodities include gall bladder of bears, shahtoosh wool of Tibetan antelope, musk pods from musk deer, tiger bones, teeth and skin, rhino horn, elephant tusks, leopard skins and paws.

The wildlife trade in Nepal comprises of large number of people and trade routes that can broadly be divided into two major parts: Southern region and Northern region. Southern region of country, namely Terai is the home of Bengal tiger, one horned rhino, the Asian elephant and many other smaller mammals. The Southern region is most accessible part of the country and also it has a easy transport links to India. The Northern region of Nepal is less accessible due to the poor road infrastructure. This makes it easy for poachers to kill animals and transport them either on foot or by mules to the Tibetan border in the north, Indian borders to the west, east and north-eastern boundaries. Most of the wildlife that are hunted  takes place outside protected areas, which further reduces the chances of poachers being caught.

 There are many vital causes that are responsible for illegal wildlife trading in Nepal. Many people are below the line of poverty so they are always in search of easy way for their livelihood. The culprits of the crime are given protection by so called politicians which further increases the crime rate. Crucial cause in this regard is, open border of Nepal with India which create an easy way to commit crime in Nepal and flee to India. Higher value of wild parts lures the people over such activities. People are involved in it because the wealthy people are creating demand to decorate their home by the parts of wild animals. Lack of effective plans and policies of Nepal’s government to abolish the illegal trading of wildlife.

Such type of illegal wildlife trade has direct impacts on our future generation. wildlife threatens the local ecosystem and puts all species under additional pressure at a time when they are facing threats such as over fishing, pollution, dredging, deforestation and other forms of habitat destruction. As Dinosaurs are history for us likewise the wild animals that are being pilfered will also be history to our future generation if this act doesn’t stop by now.

Conclusion;

The trade of wildlife is widely present in Nepal but its activities are carried by being underground. It is well known to all that major wildlife parts that are being traded come from some of Nepal’s most endangered species: one horned rhino, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, musk deer etc. Lack of resources to monitor the trade and the weak infrastructure to implement laws and regulations in dealing with violators, the wildlife trade continues not as openly as it once did but as an organized underground trade. Although Nepal is a signatory of CITES (Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) since 18/06/1975, the trade in endangered fauna still exists. Government officials are not conscious about this act in proper manner. This clearly presents that the officials are encouraging illegal wildlife trading. In order to minimize this the government of Nepal should formulate effective plans and policies to work together with the Indian and Chinese governments. The implementation and consistent application of effective penalties are also crucial to control trade effectively.