Stop the Hunting of Wildlife in India

At the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), we are actively working to combat illegal wildlife hunting and trade in India through a multi-pronged approach. This strategy includes gathering intelligence on buyers, sellers, and trade routes via informer networks; sharing this intelligence with enforcement agencies to assist in covert operations leading to the seizure of illegal wildlife articles and apprehension of offenders; training and equipping frontline forest staff in wildlife crime prevention; and providing legal assistance to various state forest departments to prosecute wildlife law offenders. The hunting and trade of this nature are typically large-scale and commercially driven, being mitigated by WTI’s Wildlife Crime Control Division.

However, in India, wildlife is also hunted by tribal communities as part of traditional practices and for food and sustenance. While not on the same scale as illegal commercial hunting, traditional hunting can still wipe out populations of endangered species if not managed properly.

To address this, it is crucial to involve tribal communities in conservation efforts. Raising awareness among these communities about the precarious status of endangered species and the laws protecting them is essential for curbing unsustainable hunting practices.

The Ukhrul district in the northeastern state of Manipur is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. Within the district, villages such as Shirui, Jessami, and Razai are home to several endemic and threatened bird species, including the state bird, Mrs. Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae), which is listed as Near-Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Despite a recent ban on hunting in Shirui village in 2023, traditional hunting remains widespread in the region.

To address this issue, WTI’s local partner, ENFOGAL, has launched a community awareness and education project aimed at reducing hunting. The project will inform the community about the declining status of the birds being hunted and the legal implications of the recent hunting ban in Shirui. The effectiveness of the campaign will be measured through a comparison of pre-and post-campaign surveys, assessing changes in perceptions among the local hunting communities. The ultimate goal is to secure a declaration from the local community and village authorities affirming their commitment to conserving threatened bird species, including Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant. Additionally, through widespread awareness efforts and lobbying, ENFOGAL aims to extend the hunting ban to other villages.

WTI has demonstrated success in similar initiatives in the past. For example, in Pangti, a village in Nagaland’s Wokha district, nearly 14,000 Amur falcons were hunted every day. These birds are among the world’s longest-migrating raptors and, during their migration, they roost in Nagaland in large numbers, making them vulnerable to hunting for sale and consumption. WTI launched a comprehensive campaign to protect the Amur falcons, which led to a transformative change. The village council enacted a ban on falcon hunting, and the former hunters became guardians of these birds. As part of the ‘Protection Squad,’ these individuals now stay in the jungle to safeguard the birds, receiving an honorarium from the state government and WTI. To support the community economically and compensate for the loss of hunting income, alternative livelihood programs such as chicken farms and grain distribution were introduced. This initiative not only significantly reduced hunting in Nagaland but also expanded to include other northeast Indian states visited by Amur falcons, like Manipur and Assam.

As we continue our efforts, the focus on regions like the Ukhrul district in Manipur remains crucial. Our ongoing project aims to strengthen community engagement and further reduce the impact of traditional hunting practices, ensuring the survival of the local biodiversity. With every step, we are committed to expanding our reach and enhancing our interventions to protect India's wildlife.

We owe a deep debt of gratitude to you as your generous contributions make our work possible. Your unwavering support not only fuels our initiatives but also inspires a ripple effect of conservation actions across communities and ecosystems. Thank you for standing with us in our mission to safeguard these precious natural treasures. Together, we are making a lasting impact on wildlife conservation in India.

Greetings from Wildlife Trust of India!

Ritualistic hunting, an annual tradition in West Bengal spanning March to May, was once a prevalent practice, particularly in districts like Howrah, East Medinipur, West Medinipur, Jhagram, Bankura, and Purulia. However, recent efforts, fueled by the generous support of individual donors like you, have brought about a significant reduction in these activities, showcasing a positive impact on wildlife conservation. In addition to expressing our deep gratitude to our donors, it is essential to recognize the noteworthy contributions of the Forest Department as well as the RAP proponents supported by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

A comprehensive investigative survey, conducted in the Birbhum district, shed light on the intricacies of ritualistic hunts—revealing details on hunting practices, weapons employed, targeted animals, and the purposes for which the animals were hunted. Distinctive findings point to a noteworthy decline in the popularity of these hunts. The major hunt, occurring on the last day of the Santali festival celebrated around this time of the year, witnessed a decrease in participation.

Crucially, interviews conducted in Bankura district revealed a substantial decrease in ritualistic hunts, contrasting with the historical prevalence of large-scale gatherings, sometimes reaching up to 10,000 participants. This positive shift can be attributed to stringent regulations implemented by the Forest Department and the instrumental role played by WTI, which now jointly contributes to controlling the volume of hunts and dictating which animals can be targeted. The impact is clear: a decline in the once-common hunting practices.

In Bankura's forests, where wild boar, hare, jungle fowl, civets, and mongooses were previously targeted, the Forest Department's prohibition on hunting deer and peafowl has played a key role in protecting these species.

The decrease in ritualistic hunting marks a dual triumph, benefiting both wildlife preservation and the communities engaged in hunting. This decline is linked to time constraints and heightened agricultural activities, signifying a shift in priorities within the hunting community. In Bankura's forests, the Forest Department's prohibition on hunting specific animals has shielded wildlife and prompted an evolution in hunting practices. The reduction in ritualistic hunts stems from factors like forest fragmentation, heightened elephant movement, and active discouragement by the Forest Department. This aids wildlife preservation and denotes positive transformations within the practices of the hunting communities.

Notably, these changes are not limited to Bankura alone; the ripple effect extends to neighboring districts such as Medinipur. By curbing these practices, the focus has shifted from large-scale hunts to a more sustainable, responsible, and regulated approach, ultimately benefiting both wildlife preservation and the communities involved.

This success story is a testament to the collective impact that can be achieved through partnerships between government bodies, WTI-supported RAP proponents, and the generosity of individual donors like you. It is your unwavering support that has fueled this positive transformation. Your commitment to wildlife conservation has made a tangible difference, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for being an integral part of this impactful journey. Together, we celebrate the strides made in fostering a harmonious coexistence between human activities and the preservation of West Bengal's diverse ecosystems.

Warm regards,

Team WTI