Wildlife business in Bangladesh: Its impacts on nature and conservation issues

Abstract

A study on the wildlife business, its impacts in nature and conservation issues was conducted in Bangladesh during January 2011 to June 2016. Twelve organized wildlife trading shops and 40 unorganized spots were detected in the country. A total of 17,11, 905 individuals belonging to of 74 species to be sold. Among the recorded species, 57 (78.08%) were indigenous and 17 (21.92%) were exotic. Among the individuals, 64.17% were indigenous and 35.83% were exotic. The highest number of both species (45.61%) and individuals (75.72%) were belonging to birds’ species. Nearly cent percent (99.29%) were live wildlife and small proportion (0.71%) were their trophies. Large number of threatened species (43.86%) were found in traded animals. A total BDT 1,34,96,13,605 (One hundred thirty-four crore ninety-six lac thirteen thousand six hundred five taka only) (1,76,83,616.42 USD) was transacted against indigenous animal trade where BDT 39,75,585 (52,091USD) were transacted against amphibians, BDT 24,73,41,600 (32,40,849.05USD) were against reptiles, BDT 55,64,56,970 (72,91,102.86USD) were against birds and BDT 54,18,39,450 (70,99,573.51USD) were transacted against mammals. Among the sold indigenous animals, birds were taken by the consumers at the highest rate (41.23%). The sale of individuals was the highest (31.69%) in 2011 and the lowest (19.38%) in 2014. Both organized and unorganized traders were active. Most of the dealers were belonging to under low-income ranges (40.78%). Total of 31,752 persons were recorded to be rescued by the law enforcing agencies. From 2012 to 2016, 273 cases were recorded by Bangladesh Police, 413 wildlife dealers and trades were arrested and were put to sentence. Alternative income source may reduce the attraction to wildlife business which was found in case of snake charmers in Savar where 70 women and 32 men were rehabilitated. In 2016, wildlife business became reduce than that in 2011 due to initiating conservation activities both in reactive and proactive way which included enforcing law by Bangladesh Forest Department, Police and other agencies, to rehabilitate snake charmers and to raise awareness among the people