(a) whether it is a fact that wildlife is vulnerable to extinction in the country due to a number of factors such as climate change, pollution, destruction of forests farming and logging, poaching etc.;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether due to sea pollution, whales and dolphins are seriously harmed by longlife industrial pollutants; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a), (b) (c) and (d) Diverse pressure on ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities, including pollution, habitat destruction, poaching, climate change, etc. impact biodiversity and wildlife, including marine biodiversity. However, there are no specific reports in the Ministry indicating death of whales and dolphins due to human induced factors like pollution. The following are the important steps taken by the Government for protection of wildlife including marine species:
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. 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.
iii. Special programmes like ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ have been launched for conservation of these endangered species and their habitats.
iv. Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/ Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes for providing better protection to wildlife including endangered species and improvement of its habitat.
v. A specific component of “Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats’ is provided in the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for focused conservation action on selected critically endangered species.
vi. In addition to provision of stringent punishment for the offenders, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
vii. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
viii. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to ensure co-ordination among various officers and State Governments in connection with the enforcement of law for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
.
****