Question : EXTINCTION OF RARE SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS

(a) whether some rare animals and plants species are becoming extinct all over the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken to protect such species;

(c) whether the Government propose to encourage the scheme of animal shelter so as to rope in animal lovers and those who believe in preserving plant species;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to ease the procedure of financial aid for Non-Governmental Organisations working with devotion in such fields?

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)

(a)&(b) According to the latest IUCN (World Conservation Union) classification 23 species of animals are reported to be critically endangered. The number of plants species under serious threat is estimated to be 29.

Steps taken to protect the rare animals include:

i. Hunting of all wild animals and birds has been banned under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

ii. Crucial habitats of various species of wild animals and birds have been notified as national parks and sanctuaries. Some of the important wetlands have also been notified as Ramsar Sites and World Natural Heritage Sites.

iii. Regular patrolling of the area to control poaching and illegal trade in wild animals and their products is done. Cooperation of other enforcement agencies and international organisations is also taken in this regard.

iv. Management of the wildlife habitats is done on scientific lines for betterment of wildlife.

v. Financial assistance is provided to State Governments for effective management of national parks and sanctuaries.

vi. Scientific research for monitoring population status of various species and evolving strategies for in-situ and ex-situ conservation of various species.

vii. Transfer of wildlife management technology to field managers through training and workshops.

viii. Creation of awareness about the importance of Wildlife conservation.

ix. Action to implement the recommendations of the international workshop on vultures has been initiated.

x. Export of wild variety of 29 species of plants has been banned.


(c),(d)&(e) The list of organisations which have been sanctioned funds for creating shelter home for wild animals is at Annexure.


ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (c),(d)&(e) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3426 FOR REPLY ON 15.4.2002 REGARDING EXTINCTION OF RARE SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS


The list of organisation which have been sanctioned funds for creating shelter home for wild animals

Sl.No	Name & Address of the Organisation	Purpose of the Project
1.	Indian Herpetological Society Usani,	Animal Shelter for Birds	Nav-Maharashtra Society, Off Pune-	Satara Road, Pune - 411009
2.	Wildlife Rescue 7 Rehabilitation	Animal Shelter for wild animals including	Centre	102, Landmark Apartments,	reptiles, birds, mammals	1 moyenville Road, Langlord Town,	Bangalore - 56-25
3.	Animal Farm,16, Eastern Avenue,	Monkey Shelter	Maharani Bagh,New Delhi 110065
4.	Blue Cross of Hyderabad, B-2,	Shelter for Dears	239/10, Road no. 2, Banjara Hills	Hyderabad 500034
5.	Secretary General World Wide Fund	Shelter for Vultures	for Nature (WWF), Indian Board for	Wildlife 172-B, Lodhi Estate,	New Delhi 110003
6.	Wildlife S.O.S. D-210,	Shelter for bear and other animals	Defence Colony, New Delhi 1100024