(a) whether several animals/birds including blackbucks, sparrow, honey-bee
are vanishing from the environment;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to prevent such
irreparable loss of precious animals/birds from the environment; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) Yes, Sir. The populations of many species of animals and birds are
decreasing.
(b) The species wise details are not compiled in the Ministry.
(c) & (d) Steps taken by the Government to protect wildlife are as follows:
i) Legal protection has been provided to endangered wild animals and plants
against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972.
ii) The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, has been amended and made more stringent.
The punishments in cases of offences have been enhanced. The Act also provides for
forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife
offence.
iii) Protected Areas, viz. National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation
Reserves and Community Reserves have been created all over the country under the
provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to provide better protection to
wildlife, including threatened species and their habitats.
iv) Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State Governments
under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz, ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats`, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection
and conservation to wildlife.
v) The State Governments have been requested to strengthen the communication
information and field formations and intensify patrolling in and around the
Protected Areas.
vi) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to strengthen the
machinery for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.