Poaching
Topic: Biodiversity and its Conservation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 14 "Biodiversity and Conservation"
Meaning
Poaching means hunting or killing wild animals illegally. Poachers kill animals for parts that sell for high prices, such as horns, tusks, hides and bones. Tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses and crocodiles are major targets. Poaching has pushed many species close to extinction. The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 bans hunting in India.
Example
By 2004–05, poachers had killed every tiger in the Sariska Tiger Reserve in the Aravallis (Alwar, Rajasthan). In 2008, tigers were moved to Sariska from Ranthambore. This was India's first such relocation. Tigers are poached for their skins and for bones used in traditional Asian medicine.
Don't confuse with
- Overfishing: catching fish faster than they can breed. It can be legal and still harmful. Poaching is always illegal.
Related concepts
- Loss of biodiversity
- Habitat loss
- Exotic species
- Invasive alien species
- Overfishing
- Extinction
- IPBES
- Living Planet Report