Question : Wildlife Conservation

(a) whether the Government proposes to steer the approach from wildlife protection to a more holistic wildlife conservation in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has carried out any research on the need for the same and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether certain species of birds and animals have become endangered in the country in the last decade due to lack of conservation and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the steps taken by the Government for the protection of endangered and exotic species of flora and fauna; and
(e) the other steps taken by the Government to stop illegal poaching and hunting of wildlife?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) & (b) Ministry has launched National Wildlife Action Plan 2017-2031 which lays emphasis on holistic wildlife conservation.

(c) Till recently, 17 species were identified under the Species Recovery Programme of the Ministry. These are the Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, NilgiriTahr, Marine Turtles, Dugongs, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser. In year 2018, Northern River Terrapin, Clouded Leopard, Arabian Sea Humpback Whale and Red Panda have been included in the Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species.

(d) India is a signatory of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species, Convention of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, Convention on Biological Diversity and thus ensures protection of endangered and exotic species of flora and fauna.

(e) The steps taken by the Government for protection of endangered and exotic species of flora and fauna are as follows:
(i) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for punishment for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
(ii) Law enforcement authorities in the States maintain strict vigil against poaching of wild animals.
(iii) Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to gather intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles and to achieve inter-state and trans-boundary coordination in enforcement of wildlife laws.
(iv) The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and intensify patrolling in and around Protected Areas.
(v) Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats.
(vi) Financial assistance is provided to the State/Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’, for providing better protection to wildlife and improvement of habitat.

***