The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), an international nonprofit organization committed to combatting organized crime, has been publishing reports on wildlife crime and its connection with other forms of organized crime. The latest of these reports, titled “Convergence of Wildlife Crime with Other Forms of Organised Crime: A 2023 Review,” was released as a follow-up to the first report published in 2021. This new report presents an extensive analysis of various cases that connect wildlife trafficking with other crimes such as human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.
Wildlife Crime and Organized Crime Connection
The 2023 Review reveals strong ties between wildlife trafficking and various forms of organized crime including tax evasion, corruption, and illicit drug trade. This indicates an alarming trend of more serious criminal activities intermingling with wildlife crime. In order to effectively address such issues, there is an urgent need for deeper studies and integration of counteracting strategies in the approach towards tackling wildlife crime and organized crime.
The Unveiling of Environmental Crime: Illegal Sand Mining
For the first time, the WJC report identifies illegal sand mining as an environmental crime. As the second most consumed resource globally, sand plays an essential role in our daily lives serving as the raw material for concrete, asphalt, and glass production. This has led to rampant sand resource exploitation with approximately 40 to 50 billion tonnes used annually across the globe. However, due to poor regulation and governance in many countries, this extraction process often leads to severe environmental consequences.
Environmental and Social Impacts of Indiscriminate Sand Mining
Indiscriminate sand mining can cause significant harm to both the environment and communities. It leads to erosion, affects freshwater and marine fisheries, disrupts storm surge protection, and threatens biodiversity. Communities, particularly those dependent on these resources for their livelihood, are the most affected by these adverse impacts.
The Role of Violent Sand Mafias
The WJC report also brings to light how illegal sand-mining operations are often run by violent sand mafias. These mafias have been linked to the murder of individuals such as journalists, activists, and government officials who opposed illegal sand mining, highlighting the grave dangers associated with this form of organized crime.
Case Studies: Convergence of Crimes in Different Regions
Further deepening the insight into the convergence of crimes, the report presents three case studies from Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central America. These studies illustrate the connection between wildlife trafficking, corruption, money laundering, and other serious crimes.
Implication For Law Enforcement and Policymakers
The significance of the report lies in providing valuable strategies and insights for law enforcement and policymakers. Using the typologies provided, they can better understand how to address and combat transnational organized crime more effectively.
What is Organized Crime?
Organized crime refers to actions carried out by members of a gang or syndicate intending to obtain monetary or other advantages. This type of crime includes racketeering, drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion and counterfeiting among others. They exploit gaps in law enforcement and regulations to operate covertly.
Legal Position on Organized Crime in India
In India, there is no specific national law dealing with organized crimes. Individual states like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh have their own laws to tackle this issue. However, India is also party to several international conventions and treaties like the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Wildlife Conservation Efforts
Various efforts are being made to tackle wildlife crime, including the contributions of individuals like Himmata Ram Bhambhu. These initiatives, along with the insights provided by organizations like the Wildlife Justice Commission, play a crucial role in wildlife conservation.
Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC)
TRAFFIC, a joint program of World Wide Fund for Nature and IUCN, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals does not threaten conservation efforts. It focuses on key species trade issues and large scale commercial trade in commodities like timber and fisheries products.
Understanding the Impacts of Coastal Sand Mining
Whether legal or illegal, coastal sand mining poses significant threats to our environment. Especially in India, where specific examples have shown how such activities can negatively impact coastal ecosystems and human communities that rely on them.