Editorial
Searching for sanctuary
In a striking symbolic gesture of Nepal’s commitment against wildlife trade and poaching, more than 4,000 animal parts, stored for about two decades after being seized from poachers, were burnt in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) on Monday.In a striking symbolic gesture of Nepal’s commitment against wildlife trade and poaching, more than 4,000 animal parts, stored for about two decades after being seized from poachers, were burnt in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) on Monday. According to officials, the animal parts had to be urgently destroyed as they had started to decay and required considerable resources for their storage and security.
The move drew applause from government officials and international dignitaries, as it is expected to discourage poaching and help preserve bio-diversity. At the very least, it sends a powerful message that animals are more valuable alive than dead.
The burning of animal parts happens in other countries as well. Last year, Kenya set fire to a huge stockpile of ivory to show its commitment to protecting Africa’s elephants, which experts have warned could go extinct within decades due to rampant poaching. Kenya started the practice of publicly destroying seized ivory in 1989. More than a dozen other countries have also destroyed ivory and other endangered animal parts worth millions of dollars in black markets.
However, it is doubtful if destroying animal parts actually reduces poaching. In fact, some conservationists—and economists—argue that destroying large quantities of rare commodities reduces the amount that goes into the market and increases the value of available stocks. This would raise the expected gain from poaching and encourage more of it. A more effective way to combat poaching, in their view, is stronger vigilance and a bigger share of the benefits of saving endangered animals for the local people.
Equally important is to address the demand side. Illegal trade in animal parts remains a lucrative business on the international black market, where ivory, rhino horns and other animal parts can sell for thousands of dollars for use in traditional medicines and as high-status gifts in China and Southeast Asia. As long as the demand for these goods exists, there will always be some people willing to take the risk to supply them.
Nepal has made considerable gains in wildlife conservation over the decades because of stronger penalties for poaching and the use of the Army in anti-poaching activities. But there are occasional setbacks, the most recent being in April when poachers killed a one-horned rhino in the CNP and escaped with its horn. They are yet to be arrested.
While destroying animal parts carries huge symbolic importance, the practice has to be backed by stern policing and local ownership of wildlife in order to discourage poaching. Greater ownership rights of wildlife resources to local residents give them a strong reason to support anti-poaching endeavours.