Wildlife officials in Indian occupied Kashmir said on Sunday they have started destroying thousands of rare hides and fur garments in a move to discourage the fur trade in the revolt-hit region.
Hundreds of traders began surrendering rare pelts in May after a local court ordered traders to obey Wildlife Protection Laws introduced in 1997 by the Supreme Court or face action.
"We have started destroying the hides and garments by setting them on fire," regional wildlife warden Farooq Geelani told AFP in Achan, a waste area outside the summer capital Srinagar where the hides were being destroyed.
"Destroying hides is a big step towards protecting wildlife in occupies Kashmir. It will send out a tough message to poachers and traders." Anyone failing to surrender their fur stocks is liable to six months in jail and a fine of Rs 250,000 ($570). "The process will continue for more than a week as we have to destroy nearly 200,000 hides," he said.
The hides belong to 32 endangered species, including tigers, leopards, martins, jackals, bears, desert cats, lynx, wolves and foxes. Although the government promised compensation for dealers, no money has been paid out and traders have taken the issue to court.