Himalayan Wildlife Trade Doubles Since 2019

Researchers at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Kathmandu, Nepal, report illegal wildlife trade across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region has more than doubled since 2019. The study examined trade data from 2001 to 2020 across eight countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. India and China recorded the most seizure incidents, involving live animals, body parts, and items destined for traditional medicine.

The researchers link the surge between 2019 and 2021 to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns reduced enforcement while economic hardship increased poaching, with India seeing a 151% rise in poaching during this period. Demand for exotic pets and products fuels this trade, moving goods through poorly monitored borders and mountainous terrain.

Digital platforms now facilitate much of this activity, with syndicates using coded language to operate. The study notes this trade increases the risk of zoonotic diseases, as over 75% of pandemics originate in wildlife. Future work includes mapping supply chains and strengthening regional cooperation, but fully understanding digital trade networks remains a challenge.