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Collection
of insect specimen |
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The
collection of insect specimen from forests is strictly prohibited
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The Dorcus antaeus (left) and Lucanus cantori stag beetles found in Bhutan
Japanese'
love for different and new pets has led to the seizure of 97 live beetles
from the Paro. A Japanese tourist was trying to smuggle out stag beetles
in a suitcase drilled with holes. The tourist's beetle-filled suitcase
was confiscated under chapter VI, section 65 of the 2000 Forest and Nature
Conservation Rules of Bhutan. |
The
collection of insect specimen from forests is strictly prohibited and is
considered a serious offence, according to forestry officials.
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Collecting
and Exporting insects is prohibited
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In
September 2000 a complaint was filed with a local tourism company by the
ministry of agriculture when the gup from Ngatshang geog, Mongar, found
that a Japanese tourist had collected a large number of stag beetles. The
insects were later released back in the forest. A Japanese volunteer
working in Bhutan explained that specific beetles measuring up to 80 mm
in length could fetch upto US$ 800 in the Japanese market two years ago.
The average price was about US$ 100-US$ 200 an insect. "Everyone in Japan
has this facination for beetles, especially children," he said. "I was
told they make very good pets." In November 1999 the Japanese ministry
of agriculture, forestry and fisheries revised the law of plant protection.
Since then the import of various kinds of beetles have increased substantially.
Japanese import beetles from countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia,
Myanmar, Phillipines, China, South America and France.
Bhutan with
its large protected forest cover is believed to be a perfect host for the
stag beetles. Mongar dzongkhag has been identified by some Japanese as
one dzongkhag with a large population of stag beetles. The stag beetle
is a distinctive insect. The enlarged jaws of the male, which look like
the antlers of a deer stag, ensure instant recognition. However, despite
their formidable appearance and threatening poses, they are quite harmless.
They posses a ferocious appearance, noisy flight, fascination for lights
and an alarming tendency to fly into people, but beetle experts say they
should be regarded as clumsy rather than aggressive. Their 'antlers' are
used as weapons, but mainly in courtship battles between rival mates.
Dorcus anteus, hexathrius bowringi, dorcus curvidens, rhaetus westwoodi,
hexathrius mniszechi, lucanus villosus, hexathrius aduncus, lucanus mearesii
and the lucanus westermanni are among several species of beetles found
in Bhutan.
This
article was contributed by KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper 2000 |
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