Lessons From Odisha Orangutan Rescue
Source: Indian Express
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Overview
- The rescue of five orangutans in Odisha highlights concerns over the illegal movement and possession of exotic wildlife in India.
- CITES and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provide the legal framework for regulating international wildlife trade and protecting endangered species.
- The case brings attention to the challenges of wildlife repatriation, including establishing origin, ensuring animal welfare and coordinating with source countries.
- The growing exotic-pet trade calls for stronger monitoring, border enforcement, documentation and international cooperation to prevent wildlife trafficking.
Why in the News?
Recently, the Odisha Forest Department rescued five orangutans from a forested area in Balasore district.
News in Brief
- Orangutans are native to Indonesia and Malaysia, making the incident significant in the context of exotic wildlife trafficking.
- The case highlights India’s obligations under CITES, which regulates international trade in endangered wildlife.
- It also raises concerns about India’s Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, illegal exotic-pet trade and the challenges of repatriating confiscated wildlife to its country of origin.
Global Treaty on Animal Trade
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the main international agreement governing trade in wild animals, plants and their products.
- It was adopted in 1973, came into force in 1975 and India became a party in 1976.
- The Convention seeks to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of species.
- CITES classifies species into three appendices based on the level of protection required.
- Appendix I covers species threatened with extinction and permits only highly restricted trade, generally for non-commercial purposes.
- Appendix II covers species that require regulated trade to prevent their populations from becoming threatened, while Appendix III contains species protected nationally by a country seeking international cooperation to control their trade.
India’s Legal Framework
- In India, wildlife protection is primarily governed by the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The 2022 amendment strengthened the country’s legal framework for implementing CITES obligations and introduced provisions specifically dealing with CITES-listed species.
- The framework regulates the import, export, possession and transfer of protected wildlife and provides mechanisms for dealing with illegal wildlife trade.
- It is particularly important as India has increasingly emerged as a destination and transit point for the exotic-pet trade.
Orangutans and their Protection
- There are three recognized orangutan species – Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutans. All three are listed in CITES Appendix I, reflecting the high level of protection required for these species.
- The rescue of orangutans in Odisha highlights the wider problem of exotic wildlife entering India through potentially illegal channels.
- Determining their origin, route of entry and ownership is essential for establishing whether wildlife-trafficking laws have been violated.
Repatriation of Confiscated Wildlife
- Returning confiscated animals to their country of origin is not always a straightforward process.
- Authorities must first establish the animal’s origin and assess its health, welfare, legal status and suitability for transportation.
- Repatriation may require coordination between Indian authorities and authorities in the country of origin.
- Where return is not feasible, animals may instead be placed in suitable rescue, rehabilitation or other approved facilities.
- The process can become particularly difficult when animals have passed through several countries or intermediaries and their original source cannot be established.
Exotic-Pet Trade: A Growing Challenge
- The demand for rare and unusual animals as pets has contributed to the movement of exotic species across borders.
- Wildlife trafficking can occur through land borders, airports and other transportation networks, while social-media platforms can facilitate the buying and selling of exotic animals.
- Trafficked animals are sometimes transported in unsuitable conditions, causing stress, injury, disease and poor welfare.
- Illegal trade can also contribute to the depletion of wild populations and increase the risk of introducing diseases or invasive species.
Amnesty Scheme and Exotic Species
- RTI data obtained by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy highlights the scale of exotic-animal possession in India.
- Under a voluntary disclosure or amnesty scheme, 43,693 applications were received from 30 States and Union Territories for declaring exotic species in private possession.
- The animals declared included lemurs, kangaroos, rhinoceroses and iguanas, among other species.
- The data indicates that exotic wildlife is already present in private collections across different parts of the country.
- The issue also raises concerns about ownership records, documentation, legal compliance and the conservation implications of keeping exotic species in captivity.
- It underlines the need for better monitoring and regulation of exotic wildlife possession, while ensuring that legitimate ownership is distinguished from animals acquired through illegal trafficking.
Conservation Significance
- The Odisha case therefore highlights a broader challenge for India: controlling illegal exotic-wildlife trade while ensuring proper care and rehabilitation of confiscated animals.
- Effective implementation of CITES, stronger border surveillance, better species identification, monitoring of exotic-animal ownership and cooperation with source countries are important for addressing the problem.
CITES- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 1973 |
| Came into force | 1975 |
| India became party | 1976 |
| Objective | Regulate international wildlife trade |
| Appendices | I, II and III |
| Appendix I | Species threatened with extinction; strictest trade controls |
| Appendix II | Species requiring regulated trade |
| Appendix III | Species protected nationally where international cooperation is sought |
| Implemented in India through | Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended |
Conclusion
The Odisha Orangutan case highlights the growing challenges associated with exotic wildlife trade and possession in India. Stronger enforcement of CITES provisions, improved monitoring of exotic species and better coordination with source countries are essential.
At the same time, rescued animals must be managed with due regard to conservation, animal welfare and safe rehabilitation, ensuring that efforts to curb wildlife trafficking do not end with seizure alone.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding CITES:
- CITES regulates international trade in endangered species and their derivatives.
- Species listed under CITES Appendix I are subject to the strictest trade restrictions.
- India became a party to CITES in 1976.
- All animals confiscated under CITES must necessarily be returned to their country of origin.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 2, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 1,2, and 4
Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only
Mains Practice Question
Q) Discuss the major challenges in conserving wildlife in the context of increasing illegal wildlife trade and trafficking. Suggest measures to strengthen wildlife protection and international cooperation. (250 words)
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