WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING IN INDIA: NEED FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF WILDLIFE LAWS

Abstract

“Only when the last of the animal’s horns, tusks, skin and bones have been sold, will the mankind realize that money can never buy back our Wildlife”

India has diverse flora and fauna due to the climatic and geographical conditions of the land. Wildlife forms an integral part of India’s rich heritage. All forms of animals as small as ants to as Gigantic as Elephants are found in different territories of the Union of India. Since times immemorial, people have a close link with animals in their day to day activities. Animals are being used as a source to satisfy hunger such as cows and goats, also as a source of recreation as in the case of hunting and sports activities like bull fights, horse race etc. They are also used as a means of transport and for lifting weights like ox, camels and donkeys. Looking at these aspects, it can be said that animals forms an inseparable part of man’s life. 

The unique location of India provides it with all three kinds of Climate ie Temperate, Tropical and Equatorial. Hence, there exists a wide variety of flora ranging from medicinal plants to beautiful flowers. Since Vedic era, medicinal plants are being used as a remedy to cure various diseases and also as a major cosmetic ingredient. Even during Mughal Empire, some trees were considered as a sign of Royal patronage and cutting them was forbidden. Also, they built many gardens and encouraged planting of trees. Plants have therefore been considered as an epitome of beauty.