Vikram's Lar Gibbon Video Sparks Wildlife Concerns

Actor Vikram recently posted a video on social media showing him interacting with a Lar Gibbon, a globally endangered species. The video, which was later deleted, has sparked concerns about wildlife conservation and the illegal trade of exotic animals.

The Lar Gibbon is found in the forests of Sumatra, Malaysia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Thailand, and is listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. The animal is possibly extinct in one part of its range in Yunnan, China. The video of Vikram with the Lar Gibbon has raised questions about how the animal was obtained and whether it was legally imported or captive bred.

The trade of exotic animals is a long-standing issue, with many individuals in India and around the world keeping them as pets. This has led to a thriving black market for wildlife, with many animals being smuggled into the country through airports and land borders. Chennai is a major transit point for wildlife smuggling from Thailand and Malaysia, with corruption in customs facilitating the trade.

In the case of the Lar Gibbon, it is believed to have been imported through Manipur and Erode in Tamil Nadu by an identified individual. The land border in the northeast is porous, and wildlife smuggling provides hard currency to fund various illegal activities. The Environment Ministry has been criticized for not doing enough to prevent wildlife smuggling and the sale of wildlife misdeclared as captive-bred.

Many exotic animals are available for sale on social media marketplaces, and India's record on wildlife imports is deeply worrying. The country has been accused of not carrying out proper checks on the import of wildlife, and the international convention on the subject, CITES, has recommended that trade in endangered species with India be suspended.

The issue of wildlife conservation is a complex one, with many factors contributing to the decline of native species. The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam, which hosts the country's only ape, the Hoolock Gibbon, is fragmented and affected by a rail line and human activity. Lesser-known species in Great Nicobar face the threat of massive deforestation.

The active support of both VIPs and the average citizen is necessary to stem the tragic loss of native wildlife. The government must take steps to enforce the legal provisions on the sale and possession of protected wildlife, and to prevent the smuggling of exotic animals into the country.

The case of Vikram's Lar Gibbon video has highlighted the need for greater awareness and action on wildlife conservation. It is essential that individuals, particularly those in positions of influence, do not promote the trade of exotic animals and instead support conservation efforts.

In conclusion, the issue of wildlife conservation is a critical one, and it requires the attention and action of all stakeholders. The government, NGOs, and individuals must work together to prevent the decline of native species and to protect the country's rich biodiversity.

The Environment Ministry must step up its vigilance along the land border in the northeast and focus on the sale of wildlife misdeclared as captive-bred. The international community must also take notice of India's record on wildlife imports and take action to prevent the trade of endangered species.

Ultimately, the conservation of wildlife is a collective responsibility, and it requires the active support of all individuals. By working together, we can protect the country's rich biodiversity and ensure the survival of native species for future generations.