Guwahati, June 27: From a red muntjac to a flying squirrel, animals are being sold in Tuensang town in Nagaland openly at a price.

Whereas a red muntjac (barking deer) sells for Rs 3,000, a flying squirrel sells for Rs 400 and a Himalayan palm civet can be bought for Rs 750 at Tuensang town in eastern Nagaland.

This has been revealed in a research article titled Wildlife exploitation: a Market Survey in Nagaland, Northeast India, published in the June issue of Tropical Conservation Science Journal.

The study, which was done between May 2009 to April 2010 was carried out by Subramanian Bhupathy, Selvaraj Ramesh Kumar, Palanisamy Thirumalainathan and Joothi Paramanandham, of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Tamil Nadu. It has suggested monitoring of all major markets of the state to examine trends in exploitation of wild animals.

The researchers conducted the survey on the wild animals sold at Tuensang, based on weekly samples drawn from May 2009 to April 2010.

Interviews were held with vendors on the availability of wild animals in forests belonging to them and methods used for hunting. In addition to molluscs and amphibians, 1,870 birds (35 species) and 512 mammals (eight species) were found in the samples.

The study revealed that 13,067 birds and 3,567 mammals were sold in Tuensang market between May 2009-April 2010 alone, fetching nearly Rs 18.5 lakh a year.

The authors estimate that over 13,000 birds and 3,500 mammals are brought to the Tuensang market annually.

Ninety-two species and sub-species of mammals and 428 species of birds have been reported from Nagaland by the Zoological Survey of India.

The study showed that wild animals are still being sold in open markets in larger towns in Nagaland, pointing to the ineffectiveness and lack of enforcement of Indian wildlife laws and local restrictions.

“These failures are because of the community ownership of the forests, religious sentiments, and lifestyle of the people, who are largely hunter-gatherers. While wildlife laws prohibit hunting of all large wild animals, in several parts of the Northeast dominated by indigenous communities, these laws have largely been ineffective because of traditions of hunting for meat, perceived medicinal and ritual value, and the community ownership of the forests,” the paper said.

“Villagers involved in community-conserved areas are interested in conserving wildlife, but they do not have the resources to protect their community forests from intruders. Improvement of economic conditions of the community-conserved areas can provide incentives to keep the locals residents engaged in wildlife conservation. Alternate livelihood options, especially poultry and piggery and awareness programmes, may help reduce the exploitation of wild animals in the region,” the study said.

The paper is an offshoot of the project, Strengthening Community Conservation Efforts in Eastern Nagaland sponsored by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai and jointly executed by the Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development, Kohima, Nagaland and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Apart from Tuensang, there are at least 10 other towns (district headquarters) where wild animals are being sold.