Poaching, in simpler terms is the illegal killing, hunting or capturing of animals. Though, there exist a number of laws against this practice, it however, continues unabated. Poaching is carried out mainly for the purpose of trade of animal products like animal skin, teeth, horn, bone, etc.
Poaching is condemned because it robs a country or region of its distinct wildlife and puts many species on the verge of extinction. In India especially, poaching of tigers, rhinoceros, bears and elephants is very common and a challenge to be combatted.
The trade in tiger bones, destined for use in Oriental medicine outside India’s borders, is posing a toweringly large threat in the country. Having decimated their own sources, Far Eastern traditional medicine manufacturers are now targeting India for their supply of tiger bones.
Poaching of tigers for the traditional Chinese medicine industry started in Northern India in the mid-1980’s. Tiger poaching occurs in all areas where large number of tigers have been recorded. Poaching is particularly prevalent in the States of Madhya Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Asom.
Similarly, ivory poachers kill elephants indiscriminately. The teeth of the animal or ivory as it is called, is widely used in making bangles, crockery and other items. Sadly, despite being venerated God and idolised on the big screen as man’s best friend, the
elephant population is now shrinking terribly in wild due to poaching and loss of habitat. The Wildlife Protection society of India has recorded a loss of over 121 elephants over a year. This alarming rate has shocked wildlife activists, public authorities and officers in-charge, out of their wits.
This affects not only thereology of the country but also the tourism sector takeshing and is hunting for pleasure comes under the purview of poaching and is strongly discouraged. Anim under hanted for killed via steel traps, poison, electrocution and other techniques.
The Wildlife protection Act 1972 contains the punitive measures to beawarded when found guilty of poaching. However, the various loopholes in the system mars its effective implementation. The slow Judicial process coupled with corruption, hide or put on hold the cases for very long period of time. For example, the Black Buck poaching case involving movie stars like Salman Khan,Tabu and others is still awaiting hearings and the ultimate verdict.a
To combat the menace, the Center should tighten its policies with stringent and quick punishments against the offenders. Also, people should be made to realize the importance of preserving wildlife through education, constant advertisements etc. The illegal trade nexus should be traced and nabbed.
The wildlife of a nation is that nation’s pride and hence, must be guarded with utmost care. The dwindling population of animal species, might one day lead to their extinction and the future human population might not get to even see them. Hence, it is the moral responsibility of each one of us to condemn and discourage this mal practice and help in awakening the masses towards this cause and punish the violators.
