Illegal wildlife products seized from poachers to be burnt Sunday

Sending a strong message to poachers, a large amount of illegal wildlife products, including those derived from tigers, elephants, leopards, lions and snakes will be burnt in the Delhi zoo's incinerator Sunday in the presence of Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.

This will be done to highlight the importance of protection of biodiversity, particularly wildlife and would be an attempt to deplore the unethical, indiscriminate and mostly unlawful activities of harvest and trade of wildlife products, said an official statement from the environment ministry Saturday.

The illegal wildlife products to be destroyed by the ministry will also include those derived from deer, mongoose and owls besides others.

A few wildlife articles available in the National Zoological Park will also be destroyed.

It will be a step in appreciating the efforts of various law enforcing agencies like forest and wildlife departments, wildlife crime control bureau, police, customs and many others who have contributed immensely for the cause of protection of biodiversity, the statement said.

Sustainable use of biodiversity is essential for the survival of mankind and is an imperative for sustainable development.

In order to curb unethical and unjustified use of products of various animals and plants, through illegal activities like poaching, smuggling and illegal wildlife trade, law enforcing agencies all over the world including India have been putting in serious efforts in combating wildlife crimes and have seized a large number of wildlife products resulting from unlawful activities.

As a step to encourage conservation of wildlife, the Central Zoo Authority under the aegis of the ministry of environment, forests and climate change will be destroying the illegal wildlife articles Sunday, the statement said.