Fur trade marten furs could generate in international markets spurred a "fur fever" in which many Russians moved to Siberia as independent trappers. From 1585 to 1680, tens of thousands of sable and other valuable pelts were obtained in Siberia each year. The primary way for the Muscovite state to obtain furs was by exacting a fur tribute from the Siberian natives, called a "yasak". "Yasak" was usually a fixed number of sable pelts which every male tribe member who was at least fifteen years old had to supply to Russian officials. Officials enforced "yasak" through coercion and by taking hostages, usually
Nilgiri marten head to vent and has a tail of 40 to 45 cm. It weighs about 2.1 kg. The species is reported from the Nilgiris, Kodagu up to the Charmadi ghats.Karnataka, Travancore Kerala Very little is known about the Nilgiri marten. It is diurnal, and though arboreal, descends to the ground occasionally. It is reported to prey on birds, small mammals and insects such as cicadas. Nilgiri marten The Nilgiri marten ("Martes gwatkinsii") is the only species of marten found in southern India. It occurs in the hills of the Nilgiris and parts of the Western Ghats. The Nilgiri marten is