Trade in wildlife, both legal and illegal, represents a complex and multifaceted issue that has garnered increasing attention on a global scale. From the majestic elephants of Africa to the vibrant parrots of the Amazon rainforest, countless species are bought, sold, and exploited for various purposes. While legal trade can sometimes be conducted sustainably and contribute to conservation efforts, illegal trafficking poses a severe threat to biodiversity, ecosystems, and animal welfare. This clandestine trade network not only drives species towards extinction but also fuels organized crime, corruption, and destabilizes ecosystems worldwide. Addressing the challenges posed by the trade in wildlife requires a comprehensive understanding of its drivers, impacts, and the development of effective strategies to combat it while promoting conservation and sustainable practices.
- Illegal wildlife trade encompasses unlawful actions related to the capturing, gathering, transportation, and commerce of wildlife and their commodities.
- This includes live animals, various animal components, and derivatives.
- In India, the trade involving more than 1,800 species of wild animals, plants, and their derivatives is forbidden as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
Impact of Illegal Wildlife Trade on Climate Change
- Deforestation: The illegal wildlife trade has a direct impact on climate change through activities like illegal logging for timber and the conversion of forests into agricultural land. These actions contribute to deforestation, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and diminishing the capacity of these areas to act as carbon sinks.
- Carbon Storage: Large-bodied species, often targeted in the illegal wildlife trade, play a vital role in carbon storage. Species like elephants contribute to carbon storage through their interactions with vegetation and soil. The loss of these species can disrupt natural carbon storage processes.
- Disrupted Ecosystems: The illegal wildlife trade disrupts ecosystems by removing key species. This disruption has cascading effects, impacting the ability of ecosystems to sequester carbon effectively and maintain ecological balance. The imbalance can lead to further carbon emissions and alter the natural dynamics of carbon cycling in affected areas.
TRAFFIC
- TRAFFIC, which stands for Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce, is a collaborative conservation initiative jointly established by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).Â
- Formed in 1976 by the Species Survival Commission of IUCN, TRAFFIC was created in response to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) entering into force the previous year.
- Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, TRAFFIC International operates as a global network with offices on five continents.Â
- Since its establishment, TRAFFIC has grown to become the largest wildlife trade monitoring program globally and is recognized as a leading authority on issues related to wildlife trade.Â
- As a non-governmental organization, TRAFFIC collaborates closely with governments and the CITES Secretariat to conduct its activities, working towards the conservation and sustainable management of wildlife in the context of international trade.
TRAFFIC – IMPORTANT PROJECTS
TRAFFIC engages in a diverse range of projects, and here are some notable initiatives:
- Reducing Trade Threats to Africa (ReTTA):
- Objective: Mitigating threats from trade to the wildlife and ecosystems of Africa.
- Strategy: ReTTA focuses on enhancing knowledge and implementing measures within Africa and globally to address and minimize the impacts of wildlife trade.
- Wildlife Trafficking Response, Assessment, and Priority Setting (Wildlife-TRAPS):
- Objective: Combating wildlife trafficking between Africa and Asia and safeguarding global biodiversity.
- Approach: Wildlife-TRAPS works to respond effectively to wildlife trafficking incidents, assess the situation comprehensively, and establish priorities for conservation efforts.
- The Global Shark and Ray Initiative:
- Objective: Collaborative initiative by TRAFFIC and various partners to ensure the preservation of oceans’ health.
- Approach: The Global Shark and Ray Initiative involves concerted efforts to protect shark and ray species, contributing to the overall well-being of marine ecosystems.
- The FairWild Foundation:
- Objective: Promoting ethical and ecologically sound utilization of wild-harvested plant ingredients in commerce.
- Strategy: The FairWild Foundation encourages enterprises to adopt sustainable practices, emphasizing ethical sourcing and ecological considerations in the use of wild plant resources.
TRAFFIC IN INDIA
Since 1991, TRAFFIC has operated as a program division within WWF-India, headquartered in New Delhi. Over the years, it has established close collaborations with central, state, and local governments, as well as various organizations, to actively engage in studying, monitoring, and advocating against illegal wildlife trafficking.
Working towards strengthening wildlife law enforcement in India, TRAFFIC employs programs aimed at enhancing the capacity of relevant authorities. Through these initiatives, a diverse group of officials involved in wildlife enforcement and related issues undergo training and receive valuable input from TRAFFIC.
One of TRAFFIC’s crucial roles in India involves analyzing wildlife trade trends and conducting research in this domain. The organization actively contributes to understanding and addressing the complexities of illicit wildlife activities.
Among the ongoing projects in India, TRAFFIC is involved in research pertaining to the trade in peacock feathers, owl trade, poaching and trade of leopards and tigers, dynamics of the hunting community, trade in medicinal plants, bird trade, and more. These initiatives are part of TRAFFIC’s broader efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and promote conservation in the region.
SIGNIFICANCE OF TRAFFIC
- The trade of wild animals and plants contributes significantly to the overexploitation of wildlife species, emerging as a primary factor in the global loss of biodiversity.Â
- Over the past 50 years, efforts under the auspices of TRAFFIC have been dedicated to curbing biodiversity loss stemming from such activities.
- Simultaneously, the demand for wildlife products has experienced substantial growth, driven by factors such as increased market access, population expansion, and globalization.Â
- In light of these developments, addressing the overexploitation of wildlife species becomes imperative, necessitating concerted efforts to mitigate the detrimental impacts of wildlife trade.
- Throughout this period, TRAFFIC has played a pivotal role in wildlife conservation by actively working to reduce illegal wildlife trade.Â
- The organization remains committed to promoting sustainable levels of commerce in wildlife, thus contributing to broader initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and fostering the responsible use of natural resources.
FAQs on Trade in Wildlife
1. What does illegal wildlife trade involve?
Answer: Illegal wildlife trade encompasses unlawful activities related to the capture, collection, transportation, and commerce of wildlife and their products, including live animals, animal components, and derivatives.
2. How is illegal wildlife trade regulated in India?
Answer: In India, the trade involving more than 1,800 species of wild animals, plants, and their derivatives is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
3. What are the impacts of illegal wildlife trade on climate change?
Answer: The impacts include deforestation through activities like illegal logging, which releases carbon dioxide, and disruption of ecosystems, affecting their ability to sequester carbon and maintain ecological balance.
4. What is TRAFFIC, and what is its role in wildlife conservation?
Answer: TRAFFIC, which stands for Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce, is a collaborative initiative of WWF and IUCN. It is the largest wildlife trade monitoring program globally, actively working with governments and CITES to promote conservation and sustainable wildlife management.
5. What projects does TRAFFIC undertake to combat wildlife trafficking?
Answer: TRAFFIC engages in various projects, including “Reducing Trade Threats to Africa (ReTTA),” “Wildlife Trafficking Response, Assessment, and Priority Setting (Wildlife-TRAPS),” “The Global Shark and Ray Initiative,” and “The FairWild Foundation.”
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