The Hindu : New Delhi News : For the cause of endangered wildlife

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 06, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

For the cause of endangered wildlife

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

“Don't Buy Trouble”:One of the posters brought out by Traffic India as part of its campaign

NEW DELHI: Traffic India, a wildlife trade monitoring network, has released four brand new public service announcements as part of its ongoing “Don't Buy Trouble” campaign that advises tourists to be careful of what they buy as souvenirs during their travel to India.

The message which has been brought out in the form of four posters is targeted at domestic and foreign tourists.

“The posters send a clear message that it is not only the poachers and traders of endangered wildlife who are liable for punishment under India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, but also those who purchase and use such items. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” said a release issued by the Traffic India.

“When buying products including statues, jewellery and other items made from ivory, you actually help pay for the slaughter of an elephant in the wild. Possession of or trade in ivory products/derivatives is a criminal offence and is punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years and a hefty fine,” notes one of the posters.

Other posters warn against buying Shahtoosh shawls stating that for the making one shawl two or three Chirus are killed. Buying these shawls is a criminal offence and is punishable.

“Think. Kill your desire to indulge,” is the message that we are trying to send out, noted the release.

Cautioning against the purchase of protected corals, seashells, giant clams and other marine species, one of the poster notes: “When you buy protected marine species and their products, you are actually buying souvenirs that contribute to the destruction of our marine ecosystem. Possession of or trade in protected marine species is a criminal offence.”

Asking tourists to watch out against buying items made of protected reptile skins the poster says: “A handbag, a pair of shoes, a watch strap or any other leather accessory that you buy may be made out of skin of a protected reptile species, possession of or trade in products made from protected reptile species too is a criminal offence.”

These four new posters are part of Traffic India's new campaign that has been running successfully at airports, hotels/resorts and other significant tourist hotspots in the form of hoardings, posters, films an leaflets.

Head of Traffic India Samir Sinha says: “In the eyes of the law, the end consumer is as much a partner in wildlife crime as the trader or the poacher. Tourists who inadvertently or otherwise become a party to this trade, only end up fuelling the demand. As such, their awareness and co-operation is invaluable in curbing this illegal trade.”

“Through these posters, Traffic India hopes to drive home the message that souvenirs derived from endangered species of wildlife should not be treated as mementos, but rather as symbols of the destruction of our natural heritage. Therefore, if in doubt, don't buy,” he adds.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi