Reduce China's demand for tiger parts: experts

Stating that the scale of India-China trade for dead tiger parts is "huge", tiger conservationists have called for a plan to curb demands for tiger parts across the border.

"There is a need to find a way to reduce the demand for dead tiger parts from China. We need to speak out on that issue," said Wildlife Protection Society Of India (WPSI) executive director Belinda Wright.

She was speaking at the launch of the book "The Safari: A Ranthambore Diary" compiled by industrialist Sundeep Bhutoria.

While dead tiger parts like bones, teeth, eyes and whiskers are much sought after in China for their so-called medicinal values, in India there is no demand.

"Tigers are killed and the parts make their way to China. It is a huge issue. Stress should be on curbing that demand," said Nitin Desai of WPSI.

Wright, who has led four international delegations to China to deliberate on the issue, feels China was not interested in India's bid to protect tigers.

"Its like banging your head against a wall," added Wright.