Question : Sale of Tiger Body Parts

(a) whether the findings of the investigation carried out by an international NGO, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has revealed that the skin and other body parts of Indian wild tigers and leopards are being sold openly in China and at much higher prices than before, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any investigation in this regard and if so, the outcome thereof; and
(d) the effective steps taken/being taken by the Government to address the said issue?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

(a) & (b) No such investigative findings are available with the Government of India. Further, matters of such nature are being addressed through the CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) on a periodic basis.

(c) & (d) Several anti-poaching / protection measures have been taken, inter alia, including creation of online tiger / wildlife crime tracking / reporting system in tiger reserves. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau coordinates it’s activities with the INTERPOL, under various international Conventions and protocols for checking trans-border trade of wildlife products. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) also coordinates with other tiger range countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Russia for sharing information on tiger skin seizures, to ascertain their source and ensure conviction of criminals. Further, the NTCA provides assistance to States under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger for protection, infrastructure development and intelligence gathering etc.

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