Transnational trading of biological materials and products from Srilanka

Abstract

Trafficking of biodiversity materials have been regarded as a major threat to the ecological balance on earth and in Sri Lanka. Global extent of the illegal trading of biological materials has been evaluated as 6 billion dollars per annum as reported in 2012. This seems to be expelled to many folds nowadays due to the sophisticated techniques used by smugglers. Interpol reported that wildlife trafficking is second largest form of · black market, behind drug smuggling and just ahead of illegal arms trade . In Sri Lanka , various acts and ordinances has been introduced to prevent the illegal transfer of biodiversity materials since 1891. Data of biological materials traffic since 1992 to 2009 from Sri Lanka customs was collected on a daily basis, monthly basis and annual basis. The data set consists of types of items, date of detection, from where/to where , customs decision and nature of offences. This thesis describes the protocol in the context of illicit trade in biodiversity and wildlife materials trade products across Sri Lanka during the period of 1992-2009. Further this effort highlights which can be effective to counter attack and save the illegal transnational trading and how the region could approach a coordinated implementation of those key provisions. Details of the current illegal biodiversity trade during that period was highlighted and the great effort of Sri Lankan Customs on protecting the countries pride on biodiversity conservation and weak points of controlling illegal transactions were pointed out clearly with possible remedial measures.