The UN Environment India and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) of India recently launched an awareness initiative titled ‘Not all animals migrate by choice.’ The campaign, which will be presented at major airports nationwide, coincides with the International Day of Biological Diversity on May 22. Its primary goal is to raise awareness, nurture public backing for wildlife conservation and protection, and reduce demand for wildlife goods by mitigating smuggling.
The Campaign’s Global Connection
The national campaign ties in with the UN Environment’s global mission, Wild for Life. Both initiatives are dedicated to combating the illegal wildlife trade across the globe, highlighting the importance of a unified international effort in curbing this perilous activity.
Impact of Illegal Wildlife Trade
The illegal wildlife trade is not only a threat to biodiversity but also causes severe imbalance within ecosystems due to the overexploitation of resources. It has significant socio-economic implications, undermining the country’s economy and causing social insecurity. Illegal trade poses an alarming threat to wild plants which serve as the natural source for many medicines and provide significant genetic variation for crops.
Initial Targets of the Campaign
In its preliminary phase, the campaign focuses on the Tiger, Pangolin, Star Tortoise, and Tokay Gecko, which are particularly endangered due to rampant illegal trading in international markets. A surge in seizures at airports of illegally traded species and their parts serves as an unsettling indication of the intensifying wildlife trafficking problem.
Illegal Wildlife Trade Facts
| Species Under Threat | Parts/Items seized at Airports |
|---|---|
| Star Tortoises, Live Birds | N/A |
| Tiger, Leopard | Body Parts |
| Elephant | Ivory |
| Rhino | Horns |
| Pangolin | Scales |
The Role of UN Environment and WCCB
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) sets the global environmental agenda, supports the implementation of the environmental dimension within the United Nations system, and advocates for the global environment’s needs. Similarly, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), a statutory body created by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, battles organized wildlife crime in India. Both organizations have central roles in intelligence collection, coordination, capacity building for investigations, successful prosecutions, and providing advice on policy and laws related to wildlife crime.
Tackling Illegal Trade in Wildlife
Illegal wildlife trade persists due to demand. Awareness campaigns, coordinated action from all enforcement agencies, people’s participation, and robust implementation of national and international wildlife law are critical to combat wildlife crime. Phase two of the campaign will include more threatened species and explore other trafficking routes, further intensifying this fight against wildlife crime.