When the number of organisms of a species decreases in a country, then that organism is imported from another country. Like recently cheetahs were imported in our country. The main reason for the decrease in the number of wild animals is the adverse changes in the environment and their hunting on a large scale. Today we will tell you about one such animal, which is smuggled on a large scale. Regarding its smuggling, many organizations working on animals and environment, including the Environmental Investigation Agency, have expressed apprehension that soon this animal will come under the category of dodo bird, which is endangered.
About two years ago, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) surprised everyone by informing about the danger hovering over the wild animal named Pangolin in one of its reports. The agency accused several online sites of selling products made from pangolin’s body. These included websites selling medicines.
What are pangolins?
Pangolin is a mammal animal that eats insects. This special creature is found in the dense forests of Africa and Asia. In appearance they look like reptiles. Pangolin’s tongue is about 40 cm long, with the help of which it eats ants, termites and small insects. A pangolin eats about 70 million insects every year.
Why is this creature in danger
There are about 8 species of pangolin, out of which five species are being said to be at risk of extinction in the coming times. All these species are used in TCM in one way or the other. That is, China is at the forefront of smuggling and killing this animal.
What is TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China is a system of healing that is believed to heal through the body’s energy. Under which meat or oil of animals along with herbs are also consumed for treatment. Pangolin is also a part of this.
price in lakhs
Since 1960, more than 90% of pangolins have been eradicated from the forests of China. To make medicine, they are now being searched in the jungles of Vietnam and Africa. It is sold for a huge amount in the international black market. The price of one kilo scale of Indian pangolin is 1 lakh and the whole pangolin is available for around 10 to 15 lakhs.
Also read – Who gets VIP and VVIP status in India? On what basis is their security decided?