Thane: The only way to curb increasing illegal trade and sale of wildlife in the city is by reducing the demand for these illegal pets through
public awareness and strategic planning by its stakeholders, assert wildlife activists.
While the forest department, along with various wildlife NGOs, has been working to eliminate the increasing poaching and sale of protected wildlife species, including birds, reptiles and tortoises in various pet stores and across websites, experts believe that this illegal industry will continue to thrive if citizens continue to be ignorant and purchase these pets, which are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act.
“Most citizens are unaware of birds, animals or reptiles that can or cannot be kept as pets as per law. While they depend on traders to inform them about the same, they often do not get honest answers as breeding, poaching and selling these species earn fast money for illegal traders,” said Aditya Patil, president, WWA.
“As this industry has been thriving for a long time, it will take a lot of awareness and vigilance on part of the citizens and a well thought-out planning and collaboration on part of the civic body, the forest department and wildlife NGOs to slowly curb this menace,” said Pawan Sharma, honorary wildlife warden and founder, RAWW.
“If there is no demand for these illegal pets by locals, the sale will automatically stop. Similarly, if the government finds a way for citizens to return the protected animal species they have unknowingly purchased, it could reveal the names of many more sellers, who can then be dealt with according to the law,” added Sharma.
WWA activists kicked off a two-day awareness campaign at a pet fest at Khevra Circle that will also be available on Sunday.