Shahtoosh Seized in
Delhi
20th May, 2003
Acting on information
supplied by Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI),
the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seized 45
shahtoosh shawls including one seven metre length of
uncut shahtoosh fabric and two shahtoosh kurtas in a
raid conducted in Delhi on Tuesday, 13 May 2003. Bashir
Ahmed Mir has been arrested and taken into Police Custody
for establishing the source of supply and identification
of other associates in the trade.
WPSI files
Shahtoosh Petition in Supreme Court
The WPSI has filed a Special Leave Petition in the
Honourable Supreme Court of India against the Division
Bench order of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court passed
on 10 February 2003. The judgement by the Division Bench
was a big disappointment, as it reversed many of the
advances made in the battle to save the Tibetan Antelope.
Although, the judgement noted the fact that the animal
was protected under law, it also stated that the trade
in shahtoosh should not be banned considering the ‘human
aspects’ involved.
Background Note
on Shahtoosh Petition
WPSI initially filed a Public Interest Petition in
the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in April 1998. The
petition requested the State Government to ban the manufacture
and sale of shahtoosh shawls, and to abide by national
and international laws. On 1 May 2000, the Jammu and
Kashmir High Court ordered the State Government to “enforce
the law against those who are carrying on business and
trade in contravention of Section 43 of the State Wildlife
Act and provisions of CITES.” However, the order
fell short of a complete ban and WPSI appealed the order
on 30 May 2003. While the appeal was still in court,
the Jammu and Kashmir Government finally amended its
Wildlife (Protection) Act in August 2002 and placed
the Tibetan antelope in Schedule I of the Act, banning
any trade in shahtoosh, including the manufacture of
shawls. The Division Bench order of 10 February 2003,
which was in responses to WPSI’s appeal, was particularly
regrettable, and WPSI has now been compelled to approach
the Supreme Court of India.
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