Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) like our Ayurveda has been in vogue for over 5000 years. Unlike Indians, the Chinese have much more faith in their traditional system. Moreover, a large population of Chinese cannot afford to pay for modern medicines. Another set of rich Chinese use TCM for chronic disorders, stress diseases, virility, aging, infertility and the like.
Both, Ayurveda and TCM rely on plants, herbs and metals as primary source for medicine formulations. However, TCM is heavily dependent on animals and even human parts. Bencao Gangmu, a classic and fundamental text of TCM lists use of human parts such as placenta, bones, nails, hair and even excretions. Officially, except for placenta, their government has discontinued other human parts.
Closer look at animal sources of TCM and its negative effects
- Tigers – Tiger balm is famous worldwide. The original primary ingredient was tiger bones. It still is used in their grey market. Another notorious medicine for male virility is made from the penis of tigers. Tiger poaching was rampant in India. Sumatra was the next destination. In 25 years around 600 tigers were lost there.
- Rhinoceros – Rhinos of all colours have been poached for their horns. A white rhino horn may sell for Rs 2 crores. It is used to treat fever, rheumatism and gout. In 2008 there were 20000 white rhinos now there are only 2 female white rhinos! Our own national parks have lost large number of rhinos in the past.
- Pangolins – This docile animal came to fore as a source of present pandemic. It is hunted for its scales and meat used as food. Infact it is the most hunted animal of the world. It is hunted extensively in India too.
- Cats – Cat meat were eaten since ages in Guangdong province of China. Over 10000 cats are slaughtered daily for meat. Even though few medicines are made from cats, its fur is increasingly becoming fashionable in the expanding middle class of China.
- Other land animals used in TCM are donkeys, bears, horses, deer, monkeys, elephants, flying squirrels, snakes, lizards, toads, turtles and many more.
- Marine life – If we thought China was showing its military’s power by dominating oceans and seas we are only partially correct. Sea horses are used in over 15 Chinese medicines. 20 million sea horses are used per year. Shark fin soup is an immunity booster like our Indian ‘kaadha‘ and is ordered to flaunt one’s richness in their restaurants.
Focus on Donkeys
Why Donkeys?
Donkeys are not on endangered animals list. They live with humans and can be killed with impunity.
Ejiao is a TCM made from hides of donkeys. These hides are sold to manufacturers of TCM for around Rs 30000 to Rs 50000/ kg. The hides are boiled to release a gelatinous substance which is the base for Ejio. This substance is also used in the cosmetic industry. China utilizes around 4.6 million hides per year.
The dwindling population of donkeys in China resulted in imports from Kenya. The Kenyans were happy to export donkey hides and huge abattoir were set up. Smugglers in Ghana and Nigeria joined the bandwagon in sending their donkeys to these abattoir. As only donkey hide was required the animals were often starved or poorly fed. Hue and cry by PETA resulted in actions by the United Nations. Awareness led to ban of Kenyan donkeys.
Focus of Chinese importers shifted to India and Pakistan where there were no restrictions of export. Pakistan is a country where the donkeys continue to play an important part in transport of passengers and goods. As their financial conditions deteriorated, avenues of donkey export were considered. More so after the Belt and Road Initiative, trade with China increased. Imran Khan publicly declared last year that 80000 donkeys per year will be exported to China. Two donkey breeding farms are to come up shortly.
Donkey hide export from India to China is presently unregulated. Donkey hides are sold by the owners of donkeys for under Rs 20/ kg. There are about 100 export companies for this business in India. Data published by the government clubs donkeys, with horses and mules. Their population which was 11.4 lakhs in 2012 came down to 5.4 lakhs in 2019. Punjab has data of donkeys, whose population has dipped by 83% in 7 years. Drastic reduction in donkey population has also occurred in Madhya Pradesh. The state government in 2017 had written to the central government to ban donkey hides. The case is still under consideration.
Wild Asses of the Little Rann, Gujarat
The Indian Wildlife Park of Wild Asses is a tourists delight. These wild asses are in included in the Near threatened species. For this reason they are well protected and their numbers is actually increasing.
Donkeys role with the humans
Donkeys are kind and affectionate animals. They are also quite patient as compared to horses and mules.
- In some countries donkeys are kept to tend to sheep and cattle. They do not back off from predators.
- Donkeys are used for rides by children and the disabled because of their patience.
- Donkeys are bred to sire mules. Mules are quite hardy and can carry heavy loads in mountains for long distances.
- Milk of donkeys is low in fat and high in immunity boosting. It is of special use in children having food allergies.
- Donkey meat is a delicacy in China and Italy.
- In some countries, rich people are adopting donkeys to save them from extinction. They are used in charity shows for rides as well as games like ‘donkey basketball ‘
Donkeys are no more required in present India. Mechanization resulted in discontinuation of donkey carts. Better roads in mountains especially border areas has led to less dependence on mules. Less mules means less requirement of donkeys. Indians consider donkeys as an inferior and foolish animals. They are not used in rides as in other countries. Fodder for donkeys is not easily affordable for the poor owners. So the easy way out it killing donkeys for their hides.
Now, here is something for you to think about
- Are donkeys no more required in India?
- Should we allow this wonderful animal species into extinction?
- Can we do something as ordinary citizens?
- Will a government ban on export of donkeys save them?
- Who will provide them with fodder and water
- Do animal lovers only love cats and dogs and not donkeys ?
- With so many stray cattle in government funded shelters, paid by tax payers, will the government or taxpayers fund donkeys ?
There are no easy answers.
Even I have no concrete workable suggestions. If you are concerned with animals, please post your suggestions as to how we can save our donkeys from extinction.
Maj Gen Krishan Chauhan is a second-generation army officer. He studied in Sainik School Kapurthala, graduated from IG Medical College, Shimla and did his MD from AFMC/Pune University. He has served in the Army Medical Corps for 36 years and retired as the Addl DGMS army. He is an avid marathon runner and a writer. He first wrote articles for children in The Young Chronicles. Later, he started writing his own blog as Genkris, on WordPress where over 25 articles on various subjects can be accessed.
