(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned `Shahtoosh trade thrives, courtesy lack of conviction` appearing in the Hindustan Times dated March 30, 2000;
(b) if so, the details of the matter reported therein; and
(c) the reasons for not sanctioning the special court or specialist lawyers and the total number of Shahtoosh seizer cases pending with the court of law?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS
(SHRI BABU LAL MARANDI)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Tibetan Antelope, from which the Shahtoosh is derived is included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Hunting of Tibetan Antelope and trade in its product is prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Tibetan Antelope, killed for making Shahtoosh shawls, is highly endangered species. One of the major reasons for the illegal trade in Shahtoosh is the lucrative price in the national and international market. The enforcement agencies have seized many illegal shawls etc., from the offenders and have registered cases against them.
(c) Government of India have requested the State Governments to set up special courts in consultation with the High Courts, to deal with offences relating to forest and wildlife. As per the available record, 14 cases of shahtoosh seizure are pending with the court of law.