TRAFFIC India finds use of owls in black magic and sorcery driven by superstition, totems and taboos is one of the prime drivers of the covert owl trade.
TRAFFIC India’s report entitled “Imperiled Custodians of the Night” was launched today by Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon. Minister of Environment and Forests at his office in New Delhi.
Hunting of and trade in all Indian owl species is banned under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 of India.
While the exact number of owls traded each year countrywide is unknown, it certainly runs into thousands of individuals and there are anecdotal reports of owls becoming rare throughout India due to loss of suitable habitat especially old growth forests.
In light of such reports, TRAFFIC is calling for measures including better law enforcement to curb the trade in owls immediately.
TRAFFIC also calls for raising awareness of the beneficial and vital role of owls in the ecosystem, the birds being of particular benefit to farmers through their predation of rodents and other crop pests.
TRAFFIC India Finds Black Magic Behind Illegal Owl Trade
TRAFFIC India finds use of owls in black magic and sorcery driven by superstition, totems and taboos is one of the prime drivers of the covert owl trade.
TRAFFIC India’s report entitled “Imperiled Custodians of the Night” was launched today by Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon. Minister of Environment and Forests at his office in New Delhi.
Hunting of and trade in all Indian owl species is banned under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 of India.
While the exact number of owls traded each year countrywide is unknown, it certainly runs into thousands of individuals and there are anecdotal reports of owls becoming rare throughout India due to loss of suitable habitat especially old growth forests.
In light of such reports, TRAFFIC is calling for measures including better law enforcement to curb the trade in owls immediately.
TRAFFIC also calls for raising awareness of the beneficial and vital role of owls in the ecosystem, the birds being of particular benefit to farmers through their predation of rodents and other crop pests.
