(a) whether the Government is concerned about the increase in the incidents of poaching of animals across the country for export purpose;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of cases registered under the Wildlife Act in this regard during the last three years, State-wise; and
(c) the action taken by the Government to prevent poaching of animals and smuggling of rare animals to foreign countries?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) As per available records in the Ministry, no trend of increase in the incidents of poaching of animals across the country for export purpose is noticed.
(b) Wildlife enforcement is the mandate of State Forest Department. State-wise details of number of cases registered under the Wildlife Act are not complied in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
( c ) Important steps taken by the Government to control poaching and prevent illegal trading of animals and their body parts and protect the wild animals in the country, inter-alia, include the following:-
i. Legal protection has been provided to wild animals against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
ii. Endangered species of animals including Tiger, Elephants, Lion, Rhino, etc are listed under Schedule –I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 thereby according them highest degree of protection.
iii. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, provides for stringent punishments for wildlife offences. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
iv. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up with 5 regional offices to strengthen the control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products, by coordinating with the States and also with border and trans border authorities.
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. As member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), India’s Export-Import Policy also provides for compliance of CITES in international trade. Other member countries also exchange information on any illegal wildlife trade attempts.
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