This article will focus on the urgent issue of pangolin poaching in India and the need for stricter monitoring of social media platforms to curtail this practice, as recommended by the Odisha Forest Department. Pangolins, unique scaly anteater mammals, are critically endangered due to widespread hunting and trafficking. This article will delve into their characteristics, habitats, threats they face and their conservation status.
About Pangolins
Known for their large protective keratin scales that cover their skin, Pangolins are the only mammal with this unique feature. They are nocturnal creatures, primarily feeding on ants and termites. Pangolins locate their prey using their long tongues, another distinguishing trait in the animal kingdom.
Varieties of Pangolins found in India
There are eight recognized species of pangolin globally. Of these, two species – the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) – are found in India. The Indian Pangolin is a sizable creature, enveloped by 11-13 rows of scales on its back. It also has a terminal scale on the lower side of its tail, absent in the Chinese Pangolin.
Habitats of Indian and Chinese Pangolins
The Indian Pangolin is widely dispersed throughout India, barring the arid region, high Himalayas, and the North-East. It can also be spotted in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Chinese Pangolins inhabit the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh, and Southern China.
Threats faced by Pangolins in India
Pangolins face grave dangers due to hunting and poaching for local consumption and international trade. Their meat is considered a delicacy and their scales are used in traditional medicines in East and South-East Asian countries, especially China and Vietnam. Their rampant poaching has led them to be recognized as the world’s most trafficked mammal.
Conservation Status of Pangolins
Despite their threatened status, efforts are underway to conserve these unique creatures. As per India’s Wildlife Protection Act 1972, pangolins fall under Schedule I, providing them the highest degree of legal protection in the country. Internationally, they are listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. Furthermore, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) includes them in Appendix I, prohibiting all commercial international trade in pangolins.
This article serves as an important reminder that more stringent monitoring is needed to protect these incredible animals from extinction, especially in the age of social media where illegal activities can often go unnoticed.