The Hindu : New Delhi News : Two detained with shahtoosh shawls

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 03, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Two detained with shahtoosh shawls

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC. 2. Two persons were detained and three shahtoosh shawls seized in an operation at Indira Gandhi International Airport in the early hours of Thursday.

The operation was carried out by officers of Customs Department with assistance from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

Shahtoosh shawls are made from the wool of the Tibetan antelope, an endangered species accorded the highest protection in the country by the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Despite an international ban on shahtoosh trade, some illegal trade still goes on, claim experts.

During February 2004, a survey of the shops selling shawls in the luxury hotels of Delhi revealed that most of them were aware of the legalities and penalties for selling shahtoosh shawls and in no shop were these shawls available.

Further investigations then revealed that some of the shops and shawl merchants were, however, organising customised and illegal sale of these shawls.

These investigations developed into a lead, which culminated in the seizure in the early hours today.

Bigelli Cristina holding an Italian passport and Lopez Fonta Maria Teresa who had a Spanish passport were detained for questioning.

The Customs Department then sought the help of government wildlife officials and additional director, Wildlife Preservation, Government of India, K.N. Singh, who came to the airport and identified the three seized shawls to contain shahtoosh wool.

Meanwhile WTI is now following up the matter and is assisting the enforcement authorities with the proceedings and running a concerted campaign against the manufacture and use of shahtoosh shawls in India.

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