to act against the criminals for the sake of nature

Recently, the nature conservationists celebrated Wildlife Day. On the occasion of the day, the President of the UN General Assembly and the Secretary of the Organization hosted representatives of countries and organizations who are discussing the possibilities and challenges to increase the international efforts to fight crimes against wildlife and the environment.

Recently, the nature conservationists celebrated Wildlife Day. On the occasion of the day, the President of the UN General Assembly and the Secretary of the Organization hosted representatives of countries and organizations who are discussing the possibilities and challenges to increase the international efforts to fight crimes against wildlife and the environment.

In Kenya, the president set 5 tons of tusks on fire. According to the reports, there are about 15 more tons in the warehouses that were confiscated. If you calculate the maximum weight of large elephant tusks at 40 kg, then in a careful calculation, in order to collect so many tusks, at least 500 elephants were killed, and this is only what was seized in Kenya, that is, the numbers are tens of thousands larger.

Many different organizations are initiating discussions, proposing initiatives and working to reduce the harmful activity, while at the same time there is increasing recognition of the direct connection between the damage to the environment and the activities of criminal organizations and armed militias around the world.

According to UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon: "The criminal trade in wildlife undermines the security of countries, harms the environment and is an obstacle to the efforts of rural and indigenous populations to manage natural resources in a sustainable manner, the fight against crimes is essential for conservation as well as the possibility of sustainable development", more The secretary added that "this struggle will contribute to achieving security and peace in troubled areas where conflicts and confrontations are fueled by criminal activities."

According to a report by the "State of Biodiversity in Africa", about 6500 animal species and 3000 African plant species are defined as facing extinction. In the last 20 years, wetlands and lakes, rainforests and dry forests have been destroyed at a rate of XNUMX percent every year.

Africa has the highest percentage of developing countries in the world and accordingly a constant increase in the demand for resources. When the exploitation of natural resources exceeds the rate of regeneration and when there is added to that wild hunting of animals and cutting of trees that goes against the laws and regulations, the natural environment is in tangible danger. Severe damage to forests and wetlands causes a significant danger to the ability to supply water to people (and nature).

Every year, swamps and lakes are drained and about 30,000 square kilometers of forest are cut down to provide food for the growing population and make room for agriculture and, moreover, to develop industrial crops such as oil palm and jatropha (for bio-fuel).

The data shows that an attack carried out by criminal organizations is considered one of the larger "initiatives" of the criminal organizations, an activity equal in size to the trafficking of drugs, weapons and people. The criminal trade causes destruction to natural resources and seriously harms the economy of developing countries, damage estimated at billions of dollars.

Every year, about 25,000 elephants are killed in Africa out of a population of about 500,000. Between 2002 and 2011, the Philly-forest population was reduced by 62%, all this to satisfy the demand for ivory that was sold to consumers (mainly in China) for about 170 million dollars.
According to data from CITES, the killing of elephants exceeds the natural growth capacity of the elephant population. According to the report, in 2007 "only" 20 rhinos were killed in South Africa, but in 2014 the number reached 1,215, meaning a rhino was killed every eight hours. The value of the rhinoceros horns that reached the market was close to 200 million dollars.

Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) reports that the illegal trade in live apes has increased to the point of a real risk to: chimpanzees and gorillas in Africa and orangutans in Asia, in 2014 2 orangutans were captured every week. Many of the monkeys do not reach the "market" as they die during and after the capture. The estimated harm is to 220 chimpanzees and 15 gorillas every year.
- One of the symbols of Rio (Brazil) is the blue macaw (Spix's macaw) which is considered one of the rarer species, today there are about 80 individuals, most of them in the hands of foreign "bird watchers",
- Pangolin is considered one of the most sought-after mammal species in the market (for traditional medicines). According to an estimate in the last decade about a million individuals were hunted.

I should point out that rhinoceros horns and pangolin scales are made of keratin (like hairs and nails) and are mainly used for "medicine" and that is why in the past I have already offered consumers to chew nails.

- Not only animals, plants are also destroyed for the fulfillment of unnecessary ambitions/ one of the victims is the "rose tree" (Delbergia) which is used for luxury furniture and musical instruments, various species that grow in the forests until they are cut down and trafficked against the law and again those involved are criminal organizations.
According to CITES, significant amounts of the wood are cut and smuggled from Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and Central America. Between 2011 and 2014, about 5,000 tons of wood smuggled from Madagascar were seized (in different countries). In December 2014, Hong Kong seized 90 tons of wood smuggled from Honduras, as well as shipments of wood from Southeast Asia. It is clear that the "seizures" are a small part of the smuggling that has been increasing in recent years,

On the margins of things, the close connection between the protection of the natural environment and the importance of encouraging and helping the existence of indigenous populations becomes clearer and clearer, a global organization for the protection of indigenous rights (Survival International) reveals vulnerabilities in tribal populations (in the name of protecting wild animals).

The conservationists and indigenous populations have similar goals and similar enemies, therefore there is a constant search for a common basis that will allow the preservation of forests inhabited by indigenous people whose existence in the forest in many cases improves the condition of diverse habitats.
Many of the natives who live in the forests have traditions and behavioral systems of sustainable resource consumption, for example when the "Baka" people clear a forest clearing. Over the years, the clearing becomes a secondary forest, which the gorillas prefer, when they collect roots and edible plants they (always) leave plant parts that grow, multiply and are eaten by pigs or elephants.

External pressures such as deforestation, road construction, quarrying, drying up of swamps, etc. cause the removal of the natives from the area and a double harm: to the natives and to the natural environment.
- The Bayaka people ("Bayaka" Pygmies) who live in the forests of the Congo basin live in a close and intimate relationship with their environment, and yet they suffer harm from the hunting inspectors who are appointed and financed by international conservation organizations,
- The lives of thousands of Baiga people in India were destroyed when they were forced to evacuate the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The people were scattered and left without land and without an existential basis. Of course, tourists who visit the reserve and enjoy it are not aware of the damage.
The organization Survival International calls for a radical change in the conservation policy, which will be based on the principle that the natives/tribals are the good keepers and usually their removal from their territory causes environmental damage.
Therefore, those who are involved in the conservation of nature and the environment must recognize that - people of tribes / native populations manage their environment in a sustainable manner over generations. Usually, when they are removed from their territory, damage is caused to the environment, this removal also constitutes a violation of human rights and therefore the conservationists must oppose it. In many cases, the most correct way to preserve an area of ​​environmental importance with a high diversity of species would be by respecting the rights of the natives.

In terms of nature conservation organizations, one of the best ways to promote conservation is through tourism development. For native populations, sustainable use of animals and plants for food and medicine is a vital need, therefore when developing tourism in reserves it is necessary to find a way to integrate the natives and not evict them. This is done in a number of reserves in East Africa or the Amazon basin, where the natives are the inspectors and the officials such as guides, or hotel workers. The same is the case in Namibia, where you can travel with a Sun (Bushman) guide in the Kalahari,

Nature conservation organizations have learned to recognize and appreciate the contribution of indigenous people to the environment and there are more and more collaborations, for example between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the organization for the protection of indigenous rights - Survival International. As part of the partnership, it is necessary to overcome corruption in local governments,
As well as the enactment of local and international laws that will establish the status of the natives and at the same time strengthen the activity against hunting and wild logging. Collaborations that integrate the natives so that their status will be preserved and at the same time they will serve as part of the system for preserving nature.

To stop the ongoing damage to the environment and indigenous populations, African countries are taking steps and measures designed to initiate development without damage. Countries initiate a "practical policy for the conservation of biological diversity" (National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)).
Several countries have already exceeded the goal of 11% protected areas. In cooperation with other countries, African countries are launching ten-year plans for "Sustainable Consumption" and in cooperation with neighbors, trans-boundary conservation measures are being established.
In many countries there is activity of afforestation and restoration of wetlands. With the help of external organizations, there are (successful) attempts to moderate the wild hunter and the wild animal trade.

Many Israelis visit Africa and enjoy one of the most beautiful natural spectacles, they should be aware of the dangerous state of the natural environment and the African wildlife.