Biopiracy - A burning issue

Edible Nest Swiftlet nests confiscated:

by Sajitha PREMATUNGE

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Biopiracy - the illicit trade of biological material - is a burning problem in tropical countries like Sri Lanka. There are two methods of smuggling biological resources - bio-theft and bio-piracy. bio-theft refers to a loss in quantity where as bio-piracy results in a qualitative loss. Fortunately the untiring efforts of Sri Lanka Customs have prevented the extinction of many species. A shipment of four tons of Kothala Himbutu was confiscated by Sri Lanka Customs in 1998, 44 kg of bird nest plant in 1994, shipments of other plant species like Madu and Sudu Handun and corals have been confiscated many a time.

But in spite of all the precautionary measures, some cases may invariably escape the authorities. Medicinal plants as well as endangered animal species such as ornamental fish are often smuggled out of the country every year. Invaluable species like Allamanda cathartica, Momordica charantia, Binara species (Exacum spp.), cinnamon and butterflies like Crimson rose are smuggled out of the country. As a result our country is losing a lot of assets. Smugglers take maximum advantage of loopholes in regulations. Mostly by false declarations, misleading terms, cargo brought in a rush for shipment at air and sea customs points, the much sought after biological material invariably find their way out of the country.

A shipment of, what is believed to be, nests of Edible Nest Swiftlet (Colocalia unicolor) was confiscated last week. A wharf clerk attached to a renowned courier service in Colombo, submitted a mail bag with a cargo manifest.

The cargo was bound forSingapore. According to the manifest there were 2.5 kgs of dried fish to Nan Ning Guang, China by a resident in Kollupitiya. Assistant Superintendents of Customs Dharma Priyantha and Lukshman Malwita explained that they were dubious, because they didn't see a point in sending Sri Lankan dried fish to China.

"A courier pack costs around Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000 and it was a small amount." said Dharma Priyantha. "We were suspicious as to why they would spend such an amount of money to ship dried fish to an individual in China."

The production, together with documents were handed over to Mahanama Sagara, Officer in Charge of the Biodiversity Protection Unit of Sri Lanka Customs for further investigation. "It was clear that N. M. Mohamed who handed over the parcel to the courier office, was absconding." said Mahanama Sagara. "He has said he is at Hambantota and will appear before Customs as soon as he returns to Colombo. If he doesn't appear at Customs we will have to obtain an order from the Magistrate of Colombo to arrest him." says Mahanama Sagara.

Samantha Gunasekera, Head of Biodiversity Protection Unit, Department of Customs remembers previous attempts that were fortunately foiled by the Customs officials. "Sri Lanka holds the world record for a shipment of 44 kg Edible nests, which we luckily confiscated.

Another attempt to smuggle around 24 kgs was made four years ago and around another 24 kgs were confiscated two years ago." Although this may seem like a small quantity the damage caused is immense. "One kilogramme may contain as many as 1000 nests, since their nests are the size of small clay oil lamps." Although harvesting of these nests are illegal greedy hunters pluck them from the railway tunnels of the hill country and caves. The soup made from these nests is an expensive delicacy in restaurants of Far Eastern countries like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China. Soup made out of using only a very small quantity using these nests is sometimes sold for 150 Singapore dollars. "The belief that it acts as an aphrodisiac is a myth. It has no medicinal value. It's just a mucilaginous substance that contains only proteins." says Professor Sarath Kotagama.

The birds make their nests with their saliva. They have highly developed and enlarged salivary glands, which produce and secrete more saliva during the breeding season. "But this species is at risk because the harvesting is done before the eggs are laid." explains Samantha Gunasekera. In some cases the chicks are thrown away since discoloured nests have to be sold at a cheaper price. However in Indonesia controlled harvesting of the nests in the wild is done and chimneys are built in houses to attract birds.

The Edible Nest Swiftlet, with their light bodies, is highly adapted to flying. Although this particular species is not in the threatened species list, if this sort of haphazard harvesting continues it may lead to its extinction.