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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000417/j&k.htm#1
J & K licenses killing of endangered species
JAMMU, April 16 (PTI) — An endangered Tibetan antelope and Himalayan thar for Rs 100 while black bear and wild pigs for Rs 50 only - that is the worth of these near-extinct species for the state Wildlife Department which freely allows hunting of these animals as a royal sport for a fee.
Though hunting of endangered species is banned in most parts of the country, the Wildlife Act of Jammu and Kashmir ‘licenses’ killing of five types of Scheduled listed animals, killing of which is totally banned by central and international wildlife Acts.
"You can kill and take away a Tibetan antelope, ibex or a Himalayan thar by just paying Rs 100 and a licence fee," Wildlife Department’s official records say.
The state Wildlife Act, 1978, in fact provides rules for issuing various kinds of hunting licences to people by the Wildlife Warden and even trophies are given to the best shooters under the royal game.
However, under growing pressure from various groups, the state government in December 1996, set up a sub-committee to review the Act.
Till date, neither any recommendations have come from the sub-committee nor any amendments made to the Act for protecting the endangered species of birds and animals.
The result - hunting goes on unchecked. The authorities have even neatly classified it — bird hunting falling under "small game"; hunting of animals "big game" and killing of endangered animals as "special game."
Under this "special game" which includes hunting of Tibetan antelope, ibex, Tibetan wolf and gazesse of Ladakh, a hunting licence can be obtained from the state Wildlife Department by Indian citizens for a fee of Rs 500 for full season and Rs 300 for 60 days.
However, foreigners who want to hunt have to pay a licence fee of Rs 1500 for a whole season and Rs 1000 for 60 days.
The amount collected thus goes to the state exchequer as royalty for indulging in the killing of these animals and birds under "royal sports", the official documents reveal.
Similarly, those in the shahtoosh shawl trade can continue to do so by paying Rs 25,000 to the state exchequer even though the trade is banned all over the world. The main source of these shawls is antelope, killing of which is not banned in the state.
The Tibetan antelope and other endangered species though protected under the Schedule-I of the Central Wildlife Act, have been declared ‘unprotected’ under Schedule-II of the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Act.
To popularise the "sport", dozens of sign boards at several places in the state indicate the seasons of hunting various birds and animals, besides the cost of killing each one of them.
After all, hunting is a mere "sport" here, and would remain so unless drastic steps are taken to save these endangered species.
-Inder
