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Menon, V., 1995. Under siege: poaching and protection of greater one-horned rhinoceroses in India. Delhi, Traffic India, pp. i-iv, 1-114

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Location: Asia - South Asia - India
Subject: Distribution - Poaching
Species: Asian Rhino Species


Original text on this topic:
Trader's profile. Indian rhinoceros horn traders are not normally of the same communities as the horn poachers. Although several wealthy Nagas are thought to be financiers in the operations, the main traders are Marwari businessmen. This study found that the Marwari community more or less controls the trade in rhinoceros horn in northeastern India. Otherwise, traders comprise wealthy Assamese and Bengalis, but the proportion of such persons is very negligible in comparison to Marwaris. The Marwaris, who originally hail from the Marwar district of Rajasthan, are primarily a trading people who are considered throughout India to constitute one of the shrewdest business communities. Marwaris have been in Assam for many years and control much of the large business concerns of both Assam and northern Bengal, as well as of the adjoining northeastern States. Large scale demonstrations and formations of trade unions by the local populace, somewhat resentful of the Mawari grip on the local economy, have thus far not been able to curtail the Marwafi business expansion.
The rhinoceros horn agent or trader does not deal exclusively in the commodity and often deals in a number of other contraband goods. In many cases he or she is also a known narcotics smuggler or illegal arms operative, according to information gathered by the author. The interests run in a parallel and inter-connected fashion that is well known to law enforcement auencies that operate in the field, such as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Central Bureau of Investiuation of India. In some instances, there are two levels of dealer, with a primary agent offering horn to the main dealer. As there are a number of dealers, often one takes on the mantle of leader for an area, for example central Assam, or lower Assam and northern Bengal combined. until he is displaced, for example by assassination, as in the case of the most prominent dealer of rhinoceros horn in central Assam in the mid- 1980s, who was shot dead by ULFA. Most of the traders operate out of several towns with headquarters in one, but often shifting residences.

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