Vadodara: Population of Pride of Gujarat – Asiatic Lion – Increased but the number of humble donkeys in the country decreased sharply.
In fact, Gujarat is one of the top three states that have witnessed the sharpest decline in the donkey population – more than a national average decline of 61.23%.
In Gujarat, the fall has become 70.94%, according to the investigation carried out by Brooke India (BI), a chapter from the International Equine Charity Brooke based in the UK.
Brooke has quoted reduced utilities, grazing, theft, and illegal to the reason for falling.
The report also signaled the Chinese link with illegal slaughter.
The total population of donkeys in India is currently standing at 1.12 lakh, leaving the 2019 livestock census.
This itself is a 61.23% decrease compared to the previous census carried out in 2012.
In Gujarat, the donkey population has declined from 39,000 2012 to 11,000 on 2019, very similar to Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Studies based on field visits and interviews conducted in six countries including the Gujarat and Nepal borders showed the murder of illegal donkeys for their skin and even meat.
The investigation report mentions the use of ‘ejiado’ – donkey hiding gelatin or ass-hide glue obtained from the skin – by soaking and boiling.
‘Ejiado’ is a material used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various types of diseases such as bleeding, dizziness, insomnia and dry cough.
“It is also a health Fad, which is believed to extend life, increases sex drive and maintains beauty and has seen an explosion of demand from China’s increasing middle class.
Un-controlled demand for ‘ejiao’ has graved the donkey population in China.
This situation is worrying to develop African and Asian countries that depend on donkeys for their livelihoods, “his studies stated.
Interview of the association of donkeys from Dahod Jaipur District and Gujarat were quoted in the instructions on the Chinese link.
Vism Dhanka, a worker living in Purani Basti Jaipur, for example, has revealed that around November 2020, several traders came from Gujarat and bought around 50 donkeys from various workers in their area.
Dhanka revealed to the team that the donkey was brought to Gujarat in the truck.
Then, his contacts in Dahod warned him not to sell the donkey to the merchants.
“These animals will be slaughtered and their skin is sent to China or transported life to China,” said the Jaipur Resident to the investigators.
In Dahod, the researchers were told that in several brick kilns on the outskirts of Dahod, some traders from far countries continued to visit the workers to buy donkeys.
“A donkey owner in a brick kiln in Lilar Village under Katwara Panchayat Village revealed that some traders from distant countries visited them regularly to buy large amounts of donkeys.
He revealed that these traders even bought blind donkeys or paralyzed, who Increase questions about their use, besides being slaughtered for the skin or meat, “said the report.