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TRADING IN TROPHIES

TO PROMOTE THE hunting of wildlife for trophies might appear to be reactionary in an era of enlightened conservation but two African nations have successfully proposed to do just that. This happened, of all places, at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting that is on in Bangkok. South Africa and Namibia persuaded the convention to lift the ban on hunting the black rhinoceros and allow sale of the trophies under a quota system. The two countries permit the hunting of leopards and have sought higher export quotas for this big cat. These proposals and a request from Namibia to sell ivory are among 50 items on the agenda at this year's CITES conclave. While Japan's attempt to get the ban on trade in Minke whales lifted has been criticised by naturalists, measures to protect African lions fully and to regulate trade in the great white sharks, the Irrawady dolphins, and Ramin timber trees have received widespread support.

The CITES framework, which is implemented by 166 countries and signatory parties, works in tandem with other global agreements on conservation. It prohibits commercial trade in endangered animals and plants listed in Appendix I, allowing their transfer only under very special circumstances, and protects flora and fauna listed in other appendices. Progressive conservation decisions in the past led to the restoration of highly endangered species such as the black rhino and countries like Namibia now seek a relaxation of trade restrictions contending that there are sufficient numbers to resume hunting for trophies. It is a paradox that countries seeking permission to export hunting trophies try to justify it as an economic measure to raise funds for local communities who would then have a stake in survival of wildlife. But there is a real danger that any move to relax curbs on commercial trade in endangered species will give a fresh impetus to poaching; it can create new demand for animal products such as rhino horn. Controlling people-animal conflicts and enabling the economic uplift of deprived sections of the population are genuine concerns of policymakers. However, poor enforcement of laws has meant unchecked deforestation, poaching, and illegal trade in several countries. Given such a background, it is no surprise that the debate on the proposals for trophy exports is sharply polarised. Conservation activists think the logic is deeply flawed: local communities do not benefit much from trade in game, and trophy hunting turns the clock back on decades of effort committed to protecting biodiversity.

Tough as they may seem, laws and conventions to regulate trade in wildlife depend on the competence and willingness of countries to enforce them. The CITES management authorities in India have, on several occasions, been found to be less than equipped to certify genuine programmes for captive breeding of Appendix I species. Advances in science such as DNA testing make it possible to track the import and export of specimens in Appendix I and attest captive breeding. The objectives of CITES are implemented in the country by an institutional mechanism that is involved in managing domestic wildlife. Yet the various wings have often been unable to decide on requests for certification and exchange of farm-bred specimens, including non-native species, because they lack access and, in some cases, exposure to modern assessment methods. The CITES deliberations and the IUCN-World Conservation Union Conference, which will be held in November, provide an opportunity for India to take stock of its performance in these areas and institute forward-looking measures. A stronger inter-governmental enforcement regime in Asia is among the goals of CITES. India, which is rich in biological diversity, needs to get better prepared to play its part.

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