Tiger in captivity in China. © Robin Hamilton.
Illegal logging in Batanta, Raja Ampat, West Papua, April 2009. © Jago Wadley / Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
In 2009/10, The Rufford Foundation provided a grant of £100,000 to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).
For 25 years, EIA has been ‘protecting the environment with intelligence’ - developing pioneering investigative methods to generate hard-hitting evidence which is used to promote innovative policy responses. In 2009/10, The Rufford Foundation supported EIA across the following areas:
Combating Illegal Trade in Tiger and Other Asian Big Cats
Focuses on investigating and combating illegal trade networks which smuggle and distribute tiger skins and derivatives into China from India and Nepal. EIA provides intelligence to enforcement agencies to highlight gaps and areas which need to be improved. And as part of the 2010 Year of the Tiger, EIA is working with the international community to take urgent action to prevent the decline of the wild tiger and end tiger farming in China.
Curbing Trafficking in Environmentally Harmful Chemicals
At the forefront of tracking, investigating and exposing illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances such as HFCs, EIA continues to raise awareness on this issue within industry and governments with the overall aim to achieve improved enforcement by international conventions who regulate it.
Protecting Papua’s Forests from Conversion to Plantations
In 2009, EIA’s research found large areas of forest land targeted for the conversion to bio-fuel plantations by powerful criminal syndicates. EIA seeks to maintain momentum for reform of the sector, reduce the area due for conversion by lobbying the Indonesian government, feeding information to decision makers, in conjunction with local partners and civil society in Papua.
