Illegal wildlife trade has emerged as a major global crisis. Its consequences are devastating to biodiversity and ecosystems around the world. In India, this illegal industry has turned into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. It is fueled by high demand for exotic pets, traditional medicine ingredients and luxury wildlife products. Surprisingly, illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth between $7-23 billion annually. It is the fourth-largest international crime after drugs, human trafficking and counterfeiting. More than 1,800 species are protected in India under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Yet, the trade continues unabated Poaching of iconic species such as elephants, tigers and rhinoceroses has reached alarming levels. Their populations are declining rapidly. Lesser-known species such as pangolins, the most trafficked mammal in the world, are also heavily targeted. Over 1 million have been killed in the last 15 years. Traditional Chinese medicine, which uses tiger bones ...
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