In short

ivory crime Asian crime syndicates are responsible for the rising illegal ivory trade, reports a recent study by traffic--a wildlife trade-monitoring network of WWF and the World Conservation Union. According to the study, these syndicates gather ivory from African countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Nigeria, and export it to China, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines and other Asian territories.

With about 92 illegal ivory seizures per month, the region accounts for 62 per cent of the ivory recovered in the 49 largest seizure cases recorded. The report will be discussed in a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in the hope of pressuring governments to take action.

tourism threat to antarctica The number of tourists visiting Antarctica has risen by 14 per cent over the last season and is threatening the area's fragile eco-system, said experts at the international consultative meeting on the Antarctic Treaty that concluded in New Delhi recently.

Experts have sought proper tourism regulations and suggested that tour operators should carry only one vessel to a particular landing site at any time and that the ship should not carry more than 500 passengers.