Urgent Appeal
Tesi Environmental Awareness Movement (TEAM), a non-profit Tibetan environmental organization with a mission to revive the ecological consciousness of the Tibetan people, is highly moved and inspired by the ongoing environmental activism against the use of endangered species products by the Tibetan people inside Tibet. Since the end of 30th Kalachakra Initiation, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a strong appeal for his people not to consume endangered species products, there have been sudden strong eruptions of environmental activism with voluntary burning of thousands of pelts of endangered species by Tibetans -- both inside and outside Tibet.
In order to show our support and solidarity with these massive environmental campaigns inside Tibet, TEAM-- established with one of its missions to educate Tibetans about the plight of endangered species and putting an end to the Tibetan peoples' consumption of endangered species products--will hold a Earth Prayer Vigil on the final day of the Monlam Chenmo, 14th March 2006 (15th and the final day of the Tibetan New Year) for the deceased wildlife whose lives were lost to satisfy human greed.
We urgently appeal to all Tibetans, media, social groups and leaders not to turn this wonderful environmental awakening into a political issue. Most Tibetans are participating in this campaign because of their new understanding and care for biological diversity as much as the significance of the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. TEAM is specifically concerned about news reports that certain environmental activists who started the burning of pelts campaign in Tibet have been arrested. China and India, as signatories to the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna and the 1992 Biodiversity Convention must now demonstrate concrete support to the initiative shown by the Tibetan people. TEAM requests the Government of China to immediately release the arrested Tibetan environmental leaders and demand promotion of environmental awareness among Tibetans from India and China in the form of environmental education resources and strengthening its borders that are porous to wildlife trade.
TEAM believes that as long as illegal and sanctioned trades in wildlife products such as ivory, pelts of tigers, leopards, lynx, otters etc, continue, we will all be the losers in the long run. Therefore we urgently appeal to all governments to take real and tougher measures against poachers and illegal traders and not turn a blind eye to their activities. At the same time, we appeal to all individual Tibetans and groups to help educate their family and community members about the bloody and tragic plight of the animals behind the pelts that adorn their dresses and how our actions are contributing to extinction of animal species and loss of biodiversity. TEAM's recent wildlife awareness campaigns in the Tibetan settlements in Tashi Jong, Dege Settlement, Nangchen Settlement, Suja TCV, Bir CST School, Bir Tibetan Society, Ladakh Sonamling Settlement, and Bylakuppe Settlements received immense positive response, support and encouragement from the public due to ongoing wildlife campaigns inside Tibet.
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Contact:
Tsering Yangkey and Ugyen Tsephel
Tesi Environmental Awareness Movement
Ratoe Chuwar House, Kharadanda Road
Dharamshala, Distt. Kangra, HP 176215
Phone: 1892-228178 Mob: 98161-64364
Web: www.ecotibet.org
Email: ecotibet@ecotibet.org