IVORY IN KATHMANDU

Elephant ivory is still on sale in Kathmandu, in Nepal, despite the fa ct that this transgresses the country's legislation. In a recent surve y of 184 shops frequented by tourists 1454 ivory items were found for sale. Trade in ivory is at a vey low level, but dealers are still impo rting ivory. The Forest officers and police need to be motivated to co nfiscate the ivory and take the offenders to court. Without fully impl ementing Nepal's 25-year-old National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, the authorities are indirectly encouraging people to flout the re strictions.