Dehradun: Four Tibetans have been chosen as guides to spread the message of wildlife conservation through educational and awareness activities among fellowmen inhabiting various Tibetan settlements across India.

In the first phase of the project, the three states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Karnataka would be covered, said Pasang Lhamu of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

"The aim is to discourage Tibetans on the use of wildlife products and those involved in the trade," Lhamu said.

Use of garments made from tiger, leopard, and otter hides as well as their bones for traditional medicines in China have significantly reduced their numbers in the wild.

Raw materials are suspected to be smuggled from India and other range countries. Though some poachers involved in the crime have been arrested, many are still at large.

The representatives would visit Tibetan monasteries, schools and settlements and conduct talks, quizzes and drawing competitions besides special screenings of wildlife movies.

The programme is initiated under the Tibetan Conservation Awareness Campaign of the WTI with support from the Care for the Wild International (CWI).

In the second phase, 50 Tibetan settlements, 54 schools and 95 monasteries in 11 states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh would be covered.

The campaign has been launched following Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama's call for wildlife conservation. Nearly 3,000 Tibetans have till now signed pledges in support of the campaign.