Friday, October 07, 2005

The Hindu News | India to discuss tiger poaching with Nepal, China

New Delhi, Oct 7. (PTI): Concerned over reports of sale of Indian wildlife articles like tiger and leopard skins in China and Nepal, India on Thursday decided to take up the issue with the two countries through diplomatic channels.

"The Minister of State for Environment is expected to visit China shortly to personally take up the issue with the Chinese authorities and request them to act urgently on the matter," Prime Minister's Media Advisor Sanjaya Baru said in a press statement here.

He said responding to reports from environment organisations regarding sale of tiger and leopard skins in countries along the northern border, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has "directed that the issue be taken up with the authorities in China and Nepal through diplomatic channels".

The Prime Minister has also directed that a detailed proposal for a National Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (NWCCB) be placed before the Union Cabinet by the third week of this month.

It has been decided that the Environment and Forests Ministry would immediately organize training of the staff of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Sashakta Suraksha Bal, the Border Security Force and Customs, who man the routes along the northern border which open into China and Nepal, for detection of cross-border trade in wildlife articles, Baru said.
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