When you buy or acquire an illegal wildlife product or souvenir, you may actually be buying trouble for yourselves.
Hunting of a protected species of wildlife or procession of and trade in them or their derivatives is illegal and severely punishable under the Indian law. Wildlife products made from endangered species brought outside India would require permits for their import to India. Your souvenirs could be confiscated on your return and you could face strict legal action.
Buyers Beware !
When in double don’t buy. Ignorance of law is not an excuse. We Indian Safaris members are researched and given below are some of the most widely traded illegal wildlife product.
- Marine Products : Reef building corals, orange pipe corals, Black corals, Fire corals and sea fans are some of the highly endangered marine species offered on sale in our coastal regions and islands. Many Endangered species of molluscs such as Nautilus, Horse’s hoof and Horned Helmet may also be offered.
- Ivory Items : Ivory figurines, carvings and jewellery may be offered for sale at tourist spots.
- Live Birds: All trade in Wild Indian bird species is prohibited Species on offer may include parakeets, falcons, Hill Myna, Great horned owl and munias. For every bird that reaches its final destination, several die en route.
- Reptile skins: Trade in skins and other products of protected species of reptiles such as Marsh and Salt water crocodiles, Yellow Monitor Lizard, Cobra and Rock python is banned. Handbags, belts, wallets and other products made of these reptile skins may cost you much more than you bargained for.
- Shatoosh Shawls : These shawls are tainted with the blood of Chiru, a highly endangered Antelope. Three to five Chiru’s are slaughtered to obtain the wool of one shawl.
- Skins, bones, derivatives and products from them : All trade in skins, bones, claws etc. of leopard, tiger and other endangered species are derivatives as Bear Bile and musk Pods is banned.
- Medicinal plants and Orchids : International trade in 29 species of orchids , timber species and medicinal plants in the raw from such as logs, whole plants, crude drugs, oil extract and resinoid is prohibited ender EXIM policy. Only value added products such as medicines derived from a cultivated variety of specified species may be allowed for export.
- Collection or Sale of plants or derivatives of Scheduled species such as Kuth ( Saussurea costus), Red Vanda, Blue Vanda, Ladies Slipper, Orchid, Pitcher plant and Bed domes Cycad are prohibited under Wildlife (protection) Act of India.
How can you help ?
- Do not buy illegal wildlife products. Also discourage your friends and family from doing so.
- If you come across any information on illegal wildlife trade, you may please report the concerned department.
To plan your wildlife tailor-made trip to India, please get in touch. As specialists in private luxury tours of this specific region, we are an expert to assist with your arrangements.
