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Wildlife trophy freaks watch out

By Bindu Shajan Perappadan

NEW DELHI JULY 13. Hoping to jolt wildlife trophy collectors out of their deep slumber, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is launching an intensive campaign together with the Government's wake up call to citizens to declare and register their wildlife possessions.

On April 18, the Government gave citizens a grace period of 180 days to legalise all shahtoosh shawls, tiger skin, deer antlers or any other trophies.

With their campaign, WTI officials hope to drive home the point that "this really is the last chance'' and worth grabbing with both hands.

The campaign, which comprises an advertisement and a 45 second public service message, has been initiated to create awareness and urge people to get their existing trophies and other wildlife products, especially the much sought after shahtoosh shawl, registered.

With the catchline "Your favourite shahtoosh shawl can send you to jail unless you register it'', the advertisement draws attention to the fact that the grace period is fast coming to an end and that anyone found in the possession of trophies and wildlife articles would incur strict punishment after this period.

Hoping to reach maximum number of people, the WTI will be taking the advertisement to Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW), being held in Mumbai from July 18 to 24.

"This will give people an opportunity to learn about the registration scheme and help spread the information further. The WTI will showcase the campaign on a specially prepared panel and display it at LIFW,'' says Urvashi Dogra, WTI project in-charge.

The WTI also plans to air the campaign in leading television channels besides putting advertisement in various publications.

Calling it a step forward in the right direction, WTI's senior advisor and trustee, Ashok Kumar, says: "We had been lobbying with the Government for long to announce a redemption scheme for people who had unknowingly bought these products in the past. We are aware that this may also legalise some illegal shawls, but the line has finally been drawn.''

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