The poaching that happens in the State's forests and wildlife sanctuaries is an "ecological catastrophe," states the website of the Forest Cell. Most of the "trading" takes place in Bangalore.

Sources in the Forest Cell say they have been seizing more tiger skins of late. A tiger skin sells for at least Rs. 1 lakh in the international market. "We, in fact, know that two to three skins are now being touted for sale."

But the cell's role ends with the seizure of the illegal items and offenders. The local police carry out further investigations. "If cases do go to trial, conviction rates are two to three per cent. In fact, most of the arrested are released after 15 days," sources say.

These offences are covered under the Karnataka Forest Act, the Wildlife Protection Act and the Indian Penal Code. Punishments range from one year to seven years. "But witnesses turn hostile or disappear because the cases take so long to go to trial. And usually, the accused is acquitted." Sometimes trials do not take place at all. In one case, the accused was released after a day in custody.

Eventually, the seized skins and pelts that are so proudly displayed at press conferences are quietly burnt. Forest produce — bones, ivory, sandalwood and so on — is usually stored. Produce worth hundreds of crores is now in the custody of the authorities.

The lack of investigative powers is something the Forest Cell feels keenly. The cell has now written to the Government urging that this be remedied and these powers be granted to it.

Internationally, organisations such as the Wildlife Trust (based in New York) fear that trade in wildlife could have severe public health consequences through emerging diseases such as monkey pox, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and HIV/AIDS. In January this year, scientists from 10 countries pointed out that "most wild-caught animals found in pet shops and food markets have never been tested for diseases and parasites that can harm humans and other animals." According to them, "Around 75 per cent of the emerging diseases affecting people are zoonotic (originate from wild or domestic animals and spread to humans), and a rising number of life-threatening diseases are being spread around the world by wildlife trade."

Seizures of forest produce here are steadily rising. In the first four months of 2003, the Forest Cell detected 129 cases while the whole of 2002 accounted for just 495 cases.