Sonepur Cattle Fair, the biggest of its kind in Asia, is also seen as an opportunity by illegal wildlife traders to openly sell protected species of wildlife, an NGO has maintained.
TRAFFIC India, working against illegal wildlife trade, has been monitoring this trend in Sonepur fair for the last two years in 2013 and 2014.
It has also collected information about the illegal trade at the fair for the past 10 years through various direct and indirect sources. The findings have revealed several incidents of wildlife trade in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India (WPA), 1972.
As per the report, 37 elephants were observed at the fair in 2013, including six tuskers and six calves, while 39 elephants were found in 2014. Reportedly some of these animals were transported from Assam to Bihar for sale at the Fair. Further information revealed that elephants were traded privately and not displayed at the Sonepur Fair.
The fair is also learnt to cater to the demand for live elephants in Kerala for temples. Elephants are also bought locally by rich landlords who keep them as status symbols. Majority of the elephants were reportedly wild caught from Assam.
However, any such sale is in contravention of the WlPA, pointed out the study. The Act does not permit any commercial transaction of elephant which has placed under its Schedule I list, calling for highest degree of protection.
Further, the Sonepur Fair was also found to be a hub for illegal bird trade of both native and exotic species. According to the report, there were at least 26 species of Indian birds in 2014 for which trade is prohibited under the WlPA. In 2013, there were 18 such prohibited species.
Birds like Golden-fronted leaf bird and Shikras, are being sold at phenomenally high price. There were various varieties of Munias and Parakeets which were being sourced from cities such as Muzaffarpur, lucknow, Delhi, Patna and Kolkata. Parakeets were also being smuggled from Nepal. The ongoing fair commenced this year on November 25.