Criminal syndicates are currently generating an estimated $258 billion from illegal plunder of the planet’s natural capital, says a joint United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Interpol report launched on Saturday ahead of the World Environment Day.

The “Rise of Environmental Crime” report reveals that illegal exploitation and trafficking of flora and fauna has spiked by 26 percent thanks to weak policing alongside lethargic enforcement of existing laws.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner decried the rise in environmental crimes terming it a threat to livelihoods, stability and sustainable development. “The vast sums of money generated from environmental crimes keep sophisticated international criminal gangs in business, fuels insecurity and devastates ecosystems and local economies,” Steiner said.

As a race we have a commitment. One that squarely ensures that we do what we can to safeguard our wildlife, maintain its sanctuaries and keep at the bay the threat of extinction so that the legacy we give to our children is kept in tact so far as the flora and fauna of the land is concerned and that it is preserved and protected for the future.

The revival of big game hunting for making money and the queue of the very rich and the very callous who find joy in killing animals for fun rather than food now threatens to wipe out other animals. One could not understand how Zimbabwe sent an “it’s okay” message when it dropped charges against an American dentist who killed the Cecil the lion, who was a much-loved mascot of the country. See the result. The largest elephant in the country was shot dead soon after by a German hunter who paid $60,000 for the dubious privilege of killing this magnificent beast at a time when scientists are attempting to study elephants to discover why they do not get cancer and what gene they have that could reduce mortality in humans. Not only is it an obscene amount of money for an obscene act but also the sanction by a government is incomprehensible.

Perhaps one can appreciate the need to cull herds and cover the cruelty with the comforting label of “sport” and turn it into a commercially viable option but when animal icons like Cecil and this giant elephant are cheerfully targeted you know there are no rules left.

If someone does not end this brutality for big money and there is no control many a species will disappear. There are now 50 of them on the critically endangered list including leopards, tigers, gorillas, turtles and various kinds of rhinos. Add to that the greed for pelts, the red seas that churn post whaling and the clubbing of seals, the so-called sports like bear-baiting, cockfighting, goat throwing, mistreating animals in circuses and zoos, dog and bullfighting just to name a few.

The message needs to go out loud and clear; animals are not our possessions to wear, mock or be hurt for our entertainment. Environmental crimes have surpassed illegal trade in small arms in terms of profits accrued and the sophistication of perpetrators.

The joint UNEP-Interpol report reveals that illegal trade in small arms is worth $3 billion compared to $258 billion generated from cross-border trafficking of species. Steiner emphasized the need for global solidarity to bring an end to environmental crimes that have become pervasive in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The world needs to come together now to take strong national and international action to bring environmental crime to an end,” said the UNEP chief

Illegal trade in flora and fauna ranks the fourth largest criminal enterprise after drug smuggling, counterfeiting and human trafficking. The joint report indicates the amount of money lost due to environmental crimes is 10,000 times higher than the amount spent by international agencies to combat it.

Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock said that innovative and collaborative approaches were an imperative to help root out illegal trafficking of species.

“Environmental crime is growing at an alarming pace. The complexity of this type of criminality requires a multi sector response underpinned by collaboration across borders,” Stock said. He added that Interpol would strengthen collaboration with member states to help identify and crack down on criminal syndicates involved in illegal trade in rare species.

The joint report notes that international criminal networks are involved in a series of environmental crimes that includes poaching, illegal logging, fishing and dumping of toxic waste.

It recommends robust public awareness, capacity building for law enforcement agencies, collaboration and adoption of state of the art technology to help minimize environmental crimes.