Astronomically high value illegal Lizard trade has taken deeper root
, ET Bureau|
Jan 15, 2018, 04.31 PM IST
SILIGURI: If recent seizures are any indication, the multi-million dollar illegal international trade of endangered lizard Tokay Gecko has taken even deeper root and organised shape in north eastern India and adjoining countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
"Alarmingly, instead of working individually, now operatives in Bhutan, Nepal, India or Bangladesh, all four countries with high Gecko population, have started conglomerated operation. Siliguri with its vantage geographical location in between these three countries is used as a preferred trade hub," said security agency officials.
"We have recorded many successful seizures of the endangered animal in recent past," said Amitava Bhattacharya, spokesman of SSB, that guards Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan international border. BSF, that guards Indo-Bangladesh border, has also recorded many similar incidents.
According to experts, international market price of each piece of Gecko of 11-20 inch length and over 300 gm weight may reach as high as INR 80 lakh. To show better weight to gain higher price, operatives often inject mercury in its stomach though that eventually kills the animal by couple of days after it is sold.
According to Conservator of Forest(Wild Life)(West Bengal) Sumita Ghatak, though included in Schedule III, of Indian Wildlife Protection Act as highly endangered animal, it is not yet in International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list. Thus, does not enjoy very strong worldwide legal protection. International trade of the animal is also not regulated as it is not listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Apart from being used as pets, it is commonly believed that dried Gecko is used in China as anti asthma, anti cancer drug or aphrodisiac agent. But, "It is always seen to be traded alive with intact body parts and tissues," said a senior forester.
As wildlife activists informed, Gecko is now used in space research. Replica of unique adhesion property of its feet can help in capturing free floating uncontrollable space debris those are highly potential threat to active and expensive satellites.
In medical arena, same bio compatible adhesion property can revolutionize post operative wound covering process replacing conventional system of suturing, stapling or even pasting by ensuring better health of the skin and thus developing less perceivable post-op scar.
"Alarmingly, instead of working individually, now operatives in Bhutan, Nepal, India or Bangladesh, all four countries with high Gecko population, have started conglomerated operation. Siliguri with its vantage geographical location in between these three countries is used as a preferred trade hub," said security agency officials.
"We have recorded many successful seizures of the endangered animal in recent past," said Amitava Bhattacharya, spokesman of SSB, that guards Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan international border. BSF, that guards Indo-Bangladesh border, has also recorded many similar incidents.
According to experts, international market price of each piece of Gecko of 11-20 inch length and over 300 gm weight may reach as high as INR 80 lakh. To show better weight to gain higher price, operatives often inject mercury in its stomach though that eventually kills the animal by couple of days after it is sold.
According to Conservator of Forest(Wild Life)(West Bengal) Sumita Ghatak, though included in Schedule III, of Indian Wildlife Protection Act as highly endangered animal, it is not yet in International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list. Thus, does not enjoy very strong worldwide legal protection. International trade of the animal is also not regulated as it is not listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Apart from being used as pets, it is commonly believed that dried Gecko is used in China as anti asthma, anti cancer drug or aphrodisiac agent. But, "It is always seen to be traded alive with intact body parts and tissues," said a senior forester.
As wildlife activists informed, Gecko is now used in space research. Replica of unique adhesion property of its feet can help in capturing free floating uncontrollable space debris those are highly potential threat to active and expensive satellites.
In medical arena, same bio compatible adhesion property can revolutionize post operative wound covering process replacing conventional system of suturing, stapling or even pasting by ensuring better health of the skin and thus developing less perceivable post-op scar.
