A recent TRAFFIC India investigation found the use of owls in black magic and sorcery driven by superstition, totems and taboos to be a prime driver for the illegal trade, trapping and utilization of owls in India.
TRAFFIC India’s report entitled “Imperilled Custodians of the Night” was launched today by Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon. Minister of Environment and Forests at his office in New Delhi.
Hunting of and trade in all Indian owl species is banned under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 of India.
While the exact number of owls traded each year countrywide is unknown, it certainly runs into thousands of individuals and there are anecdotal reports of owls becoming rare throughout India due to loss of suitable habitat especially old growth forests.
In light of such reports, TRAFFIC is calling for measures including better law enforcement to curb the trade in owls immediately.
TRAFFIC also calls for raising awareness of the beneficial and vital role of owls in the ecosystem, the birds being of particular benefit to farmers through their predation of rodents and other crop pests.
The sacrifice of owls on auspicious occasions appears to be a regular practice and TRAFFIC warns of a possible increase in owl trade and sacrifice around Diwali, the Festival of Light, which this year is on 5th November.
Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon. Minister of Environment and Forest said at the launch of the report “Owls are as important to our ecosystem as the Tigers or any other better known charismatic species. It is important that the threat to owls is brought to light during the festival of Diwali and concrete ground action is undertaken to curb such trade.”
The owl report, which was sponsored by WWF and the Rufford Foundation can be downloaded here.
Source: TRAFFIC
