Centre says websites such as Quikr, Olx and Amazon are selling rare animals, their body parts
In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change named 160 sites found guilty of wildlife smuggling.
The Centre on Monday said rare animals and their body parts are being illegally sold on the internet through 160 websites, including Quikr, Olx, Ebay, Amazon and YouTube. The government said the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, along with state agencies, are monitoring such smuggling, reported PTI.
"Several websites are seen advertising sale of rare animals and their parts," Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Anil Madhav Dave informed the Rajya Sabha in a written response. He said the cyber crime specialists are regularly scanning the internet for wildlife trade advertisements. According to the Union minister, such offers, when found, are immediately flagged and relevant enforcement agencies are alerted for legal action against the perpetrators.
In May, the government held a meeting with online trade portal representatives to address the issue. NGO Wildlife SOS recently claimed that Amazon India has agreed to take down traps and snares from its e-commerce website after the organisation brought to their notice how such equipment is being used for illegal animal trafficking in the country.