Characterization of Wildlife articles seized and recent trends in illegal wildlife trade in India: Implication for wildlife forensics

Abstract

Illegal trade in wildlife parts and products has emerged as an organized transnational crime, threatening the existence of many wild species across the globe. Man is dependent on natural resources including various forms of wildlife for subsistence since its arrival on this planet. Recently, thousands of wildlife including plant, animal and other organisms are subjected to unlawful exploitation for subsistence or illegal wildlife trade for commercial gains. In any wildlife forensic investigation, analysis of biological evidences has perpetual significance in getting conviction of accused or proving innocence. Appropriate analysis of such evidence, not only help in identification and proving possession of a contraband by the accused but also help in establishing link between the suspect, the wildlife, and the crime scene in poaching scenarios. Forensic identification of species from parts and products recovered in various seizures of wildlife articles by various enforcement agencies is the core for implementation of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. While dealing with the results we have considered the fact that the reported offense data is skewed towards few states as there is very less offenses/reporting from few others. The study shows that during the reported period, eight states in alphabetical order, viz. Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh constitute more than 60% reported wildlife offences