(a) whether the Government has observed the theme “Go Wild for Life” this year;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the initiatives taken so far, in this regard;
(c) whether it is a fact that threat to wildlife in India is more from habitat degradation and conflict situation rather than poaching and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a)and (b)The theme ‘Go Wild for Life’ was observed on 5.6.2016 (World Environment Day) by conducting various programmes to sensitize the public and other stakeholders about the importance of wildlife and the need to protect them.
At Delhi, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau with other organizations/NGOs such as TRAFFIC, UNDP, ENVIS, TERI, Sulabh International etc. organized events like quiz competition, painting competition, slogan writing slogan march etc. Similar events were also organized at various parts of the country.
The following initiatives in tune with the theme ‘Go Wild for Life’ have been taken by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau:
i. Collection, collation and dissemination of intelligence on illegal trafficking of wildlife and its parts as well as wildlife crime to various agencies for apprehension of criminals.
ii. Coordination of inter-agency enforcement efforts in combating illegal wildlife crime.
iii. Sensitization and capacity building of agencies in enforcement of the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. WCCB trained 798 forest & police officials in 2014-15, 1009 in 2015-16 and 309 in 2016-17 (up to 30.6.2017) in investigation of wildlife crime.
iv. Awareness and education campaigns for various stakeholders. 5927 officials of BGFs, CISF, Coast Guard, DRI, Customs, Forest Police and Judiciary etc. were sensitized about wildlife laws and related issues in 2014-15, 2810 in 2015-16 and 396 in 2016-17 (up to 30.6.2017). Apart from this 1596 PRI representatives and villagers around the tiger reserves attended the awareness programmes in 2014-15, 2425 in 2015-16 and 45 have so far attended in 2016-17 up to 30.6.2017.
(c) and (d) Habitat destruction and conflict situation are important factors and have adverse impact on wildlife conservation efforts.
The Government has taken the following steps for protection and conservation of wild animals in the country:
i. 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. Special programmes like ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ were launched for conservation of these endangered species and their habitats.
ii. 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.
iii. Legal protection has been provided to wild animals including rhinoceros against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
iv. 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).
v. 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.
vi. Participation of people living in the forest fringes is attempted in wildlife conservation.
vii. The assistance is also provided to the States under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes for payment of ex-gratia relief, management of wildlife conflict situations and construction/erection of physical barriers, such as barbed wire fence, solar powered electric fence, bio-fencing, boundary walls etc. wherever feasible. In many parts of the country, anti-depredation squads have also been set up to drive away problematic animals.
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.
****