Organised inter-state gangs behind killings of elephants: Monitoring network

KOCHI: Expressing concern over the recent spate of poaching of elephants in southern India, a global wildlife monitoring network has said organised inter-state poaching gangs were behind the killings of tuskers in the forests of Western Ghats.

The recent spate of poaching of elephants and seizures of ivory in southern India has brought forth a disturbing trend that after a hiatus of about 20 years, organised inter-state poaching gangs are resurfacing and are active once again in India, as per wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC.

It says while domestic demand is one of the drivers for ivory in India, with certain communities of western India using it for bangles and other ornamental purposes, the lion's share was meant for international consumption mainly to countries like Japan and China via Thailand, Singapore and Philippines.

The leading non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants said usage of elephant articles vary from Japanese hanko, artifacts, wedding bangles, trophies and medicines.

"Poaching for meat and other products like tail hair also pose threats to populations, especially in northeast India," it says.