Seema Sharma | TNN | Times of India
Oct 5, 2016, 04.52 PM IST

DEHRADUN: At the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which concluded recently at Johnesburg, the member countries India, Nepal, the USA, European Union and Lao' People's Democratic Republic overruled a proposal from China to do away with the decision to end tiger farming. China was alone in opposing the decision, which states that "tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts and derivatives."

Avinash Basker, senior member of the WPSI said "The fact that there was no support for the Chinese proposal is a really encouraging sign. It shows that almost all parties are convinced that the breeding of tigers for their parts and derivatives is a serious conservation threat to wild tigers."

According to sources, there are fewer than 4,000 wild tigers remaining, with populations functionally extinct in some range states. The conservation of wild tigers requires action to end all trade in tiger parts and derivatives, and reduce and eventually eliminate demand for these products. Trade in parts and derivatives of captive bred tigers continues to be a threat, perpetuating the desirability of tiger products and stimulating poaching of wild tigers and other Asian big cats. Undeniably, wild tigers are doing best in range States where they are not considered a commodity and where they are not bred for trade in their parts and derivatives.



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