WTI is steadfast in countering the menace of the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and poaching in India, which threatens populations of several endangered species, including elephants, pangolins, mongoose, tigers, etc. Through a holistic and targeted approach, we are assisting in the disruption of organized criminal syndicates at every level of their operation. Simultaneously, we are enhancing enforcement teams' capacity and implementing technological solutions to counter poaching and IWT.
In erstwhile India, game hunting and the trade in wildlife (and its derivatives) were permissible, catering to a very high demand for wildlife articles from the rich and influential. The enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 banned the exercise. However, it continued to flourish illegally and evolved into a well-organized and connected criminal syndicate. We soon realized that buyers and sellers were just the tip of the iceberg. The challenge is to break the much deeper trade nexus.
WTI's actionable and operational intel helps enforcement agencies with seizures and criminal arrests. We regularly monitor trade outlets, on-ground and in the cyber-space. We help keep tabs on past offenders and IWT syndicates through systematic intelligence gathering and through 'HAWK'- an innovative crime intelligence management technology. WTI also empowers frontline enforcement staff with training, equipment, and legal aid for effective enforcement and criminal accountability under the law.
Fighting IWT ensures biodiversity conservation, ecosystem stability, and the sustenance of threatened species. This, we believe, is crucial for averting the Sixth Mass Extinction. Disrupting illicit networks also plays a critical role in reducing the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as SARS, Nipah, COVID-19, etc. thereby safeguarding public health. Additionally, this fight reinforces governance structures and fosters international cooperation in global conservation efforts.
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