Seized wildlife products incinerated at Delhi Zoo

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Sending a strong message across the government on Sunday destroyed a consignment of illegal wildlife products in full public glare at Delhi's National Zoological Park.

“Trading wildlife animal products are banned and its trafficking would not be tolerated,” said Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Presiding over the event, Javadekar stressed the need for "harmonious co-existence", as hunting, which started around 200 years ago has created a situation where many animal species have become endangered and are on the point of extinction.

The illegal wildlife products including those derived from tigers, elephants, leopards, lions, snakes, deer, owls, mongoose, and shells were pulverised and burned by environment ministry officials at the Zoo.

Javadekar said the money generated from illegal trafficking and trade of animals and poaching always found a way into illegal activities like funding for terrorism.

"Unethical use of products of various animals and plants, often based on unjustified reasons has been a factor flaming illegal activities like poaching, smuggling and illegal wildlife trade," he said.

An environment ministry statement said burning of these illegal wildlife products is a step towards appreciating the efforts of various law enforcement agencies like forest and wildlife departments, wildlife crime control bureau, police, customs and many others for checking illegal trade of such products.

(With Agency Inputs)