Date:15/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/15/stories/2004031501242400.htm

National

Are the pangolins becoming extinct?

KOLKATA, MARCH 14. Pangolins are gradually becoming extinct in India following indiscriminate killing for their scales and flesh, which are ``believed'' to be a cure for various diseases.

According to a recent study, based on a survey by experts concerned in different areas of West Bengal and Orissa, the pangolin population has declined in the region owing to indiscriminate killing and destruction of their habitats. In Orissa, the two main corridors of illegal trading of wildlife are Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The major shops from where such trading is being done are situated near Badambari bus terminus, said Tathagta Bhattacharya, Editor, Indian Society for Wildlife Research, in the study.

But, in Bhubaneswar, such shops are not centred at any place specifically, but are scattered. After surveying the Badambadi area, it was found that on an average about 22 shops trade in flesh and rings made from the scales of the mammals. ``About 8-10 kg flesh and 25-30 rings are being sold everyday from these shops,'' the study said. Besides, 12 to 13 traders are found selling 10-15 kg scales and 50-60 kg flesh every week at the rural markets adjacent to Balasore's Kuldiha reserve forest, Hatgar reserve forest of Keonjhar, Purankot and Satkesia Reserve Forest areas.

In West Bengal, about six to seven hawkers were found to be selling the scales only in Bankura, besides revealing that a majority of the villagers in the State were not aware of pangolin, ``which indicated that either it has become extinct or is threatened seriously."

UNI