Guest guest Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 Smuggling is major factor - By Sridhar Kumaraswami http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?layout=2 & cat1=5 & cat2=89 & newsid=173552 & RF=Defaul\ tMain New Delhi, Aug. 6: The smuggling of tiger parts from India to China has played a large role in the rampant poaching of tigers in this country. Tiger parts are used widely in Chinese medicine that is widely consumed not just in China, but also in other parts of Asia like Japan and South Korea. Taking note of this, the Tiger Task Force (TTF) constituted by the Union government has recommended a " bilateral relationship between India and China to combat the trade in tiger parts. " The report points out that Chinese medicines " use tiger bones as an ingredient in a number of different concoctions. " Oth-er parts are also sought after. Tiger teeth and claw are used as " magical " amulets while the tiger penis is an ingredient in powerful aphrodisiacs and tonics. Researchers of the UK-based NGO, the Environmental Investigation Age-ncy (EIA), received feedback that tiger skins were also much in demand among wealthy Chinese residents of Beijing and Hong Kong for decorative use in their homes. The EIA, which prepared a report titled the " State of the Tiger " in 1999, had concluded that " China is the primary destination for tiger and leopard skins from India. " The TTF in its own report has pointed out that in October 2003, Chinese customs officers at a checkpoint in Tibet found a truck carrying a consignment of 31 tiger skins, 581 leopard skins and 778 otter skins. The illegal consignment had clearly come from India and investigators also found a copy of the Delhi edition of a leading national newspaper stuck to the back of the skins. The TTF that submitted its report to PM Manmohan Singh on Friday has urged New Delhi to take up the matter with Beijing. It has also suggested that India should take up this issue with the international community through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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