Precariously perched

THERE may be hope yet for the swiftlet, asmall Indian bird found only in theAndaman and Nicobar islands, which isin danger of becoming endangered.TRAFFIc-India. a branch of Twmc-international is in the midst of a report which It hopes will push the Union governmentinto quick action to save the swiftlet.The need for action on a warfooting Isobvious given that the bird is notprotected by any of the internationalanti-poaching conventions or evenunder the Indian WildlifeAct.

The totally whim 111 swiftlet which is an important Chinese cuisine and pharmacy. Is anywhere between $2,500and $4,000kg in Hong Kong where Odomtremendous dernand.- says ItRanjit Talwar, chief of Traft-6Talwar points out that raqdestruction of nests over the leayears has led to a depletion hn ulation of the swiftlet by ow so cent. "This is indication emovosomething must be done fan tothis species," he says.