Tiger bones are also smuggled into Tibet through the neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan, which are considered safer dealing points than India. The Shahtoosh is taken to Kashmir which is the only place in the world where this fine wool can be processed. Tiger-based medicines produced illegally in China, are smuggled to other consumer nations. In 1994, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and much of South Asia banned the trade in tiger products. But a thriving clandestine trade persists.
Japan is the only major consumer nation where internal trade in tiger products is still legal.
Other countries with large Far Eastern communities have also not banned the possession of tiger products and no enforcement can be applied once the products are within these countries. In June 1996 Canada finally banned internal trade after intense pressure from environmentalists. Main Areas of Tiger Poaching in India Poaching occurs in all areas where high densities of tigers have been recorded. Current information implies that intense poaching activity exists in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Tiger poaching in the State of Madhya Pradesh has been particularly well documented.