Responding to a writ petition the Supreme Court has issued a show cause notice to the government for not taking action against the illegal use of wildlife parts in the country.

The single bench of SC Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana on Thursday issued the notice on the writ petition filed by the conservationist and co-founder of Greenhood Nepal, Kumar Paudel, seeking legal action against those in possession of valuable parts of wildlife for decoration.

Petitioner Paudel, also a specialist in the field of wildlife trade, said possession of any parts of endangered wildlife, irrespective of their purpose, should be punishable by the law. “As part of my current research, I have interviewed more than 150 people serving time for involvement in illegal trade in wildlife. Coincidentally, I was watching a national broadcast of an interview with former prime minister Kritinidhi Bista. I was shocked to see that he was prominently displaying a tiger pelt as decorative item in his home,” said Paudel, urging the government to first collect such wildlife parts possessed for decoration at homes and offices before bringing them under the law.

“The law should not be discriminatory. This is especially important because there are many people who have been arrested and prosecuted for the similar acts,” added Paudel. The writ has made the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Department of Forest, as defendants.

Though the law prohibits the ornamental use of endangered species, such as the tiger, the illegal harvest, trade and use of protected wildlife remains a problem across country, according to Paudel.

“This case will set precedence in the country and will prohibit others in displaying wildlife parts in their houses and offices. People will either start hiding those possessions or visit the authority for registration purpose,” said Advocate Padam Bahadur Shrestha. 

A provision under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (1974), anyone in possession of parts of endangered wildlife needs to report to the local authorities within 35 days. “It is a crime punishable with high fines and prison sentences. Hundreds of people have been arrested and imprisoned across Nepal. The existing laws should be implemented strictly to discourage using such items as decoration,” said Shrestha. Recognising the gravity of the issue, the apex court accorded a ‘priority hearing’ on the case.