Chandigarh, April 17
It is not only Tibet but also saving the tiger from extinction that has been putting pressure on the Chinese authorities in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
“With the run-up to the Beijing Olympics, the world’s attention is on China. We must raise the issue of tiger extinction with the Chinese authorities and ensure they do not lift the ban on trade in tiger products which would prove disastrous to global efforts to save the tiger”, says Neena Gill, a member of European Parliament.
Ludhiana born Neena Gill is also President of the European Parliament’s India delegation. She has given a call for greater EU-coordinated action to prevent the tiger from becoming extinct.
Efforts by various agencies, including NGOs, to save the Indian tiger from extinction notwithstanding, the issue echoed in the European Union Parliament that observed a special Tiger Day yesterday.
Neena Gill says that a major threat to this most adored animal comes from tiger farmers of China who have been demanding that ban on the export of tiger parts be revoked immediately. According to recent census reports, there are over 5,000 tigers in various Chinese breeding centres. Those who are working for saving the tiger from extinction feel that such a move would be disastrous for the wild tiger by causing an upturn in demand for tiger products and increasing poaching in the wild.
“Recent figures show there may be only 1,300 tigers left in India and by 2025 the tiger may be extinct. India alone cannot tackle this looming extinction. It is time for the European Union to take a stronger role in the international drive to save the tiger,” Neena said in EU Parliament yesterday.
One of the chief causes of this decline are the ‘tiger trafficking mafias’ active in Asia, which are poaching Indian tigers, trafficking skins and body parts across Nepal and the Himalayan region to China where they are sold at a profit of 900 per cent. Although laws exist, they are not being fully enforced, which is why tiger numbers are falling so drastically.
“Losing the tiger would be a global tragedy. Therefore, I am calling on the European Union to develop a
comprehensive strategy to tackle this issue.”
Provision of technical assistance to tiger states in enforcing and analysing criminal networks besides extension of financial assistance to them for augmenting their efforts for the protection of wild tigers are among various suggestions made by her in the EU Parliament.
She also wants that both India and China should be approached at the highest political level to take action in tackling organised ‘tiger trafficking mafias’, and to increase enforcement of laws.
“Tigers are one of the world’s most adored animals. We must act now before it is too late. We owe it to future generations to give them the opportunity to marvel at them as we have done,” commented Neena Gill.
