MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS ( SHRI T.R.BAALU)
(a)&(b) Estimated population of important species of wild animals for the last three consecutive census is given in Annexure-I.
(c)&(d) Number of deaths of tigers, bears, rhinos and birds in National Zoological Park for the last three years is as follows:
Sl.No. Year Tiger Bear Rhino Birds Total
1 1998-99 Nil Nil 1 36 37
2 1999-00 Nil 2 Nil 36 38
3 2000-01 7 1 2 35 45
State wise poaching and seizure cases in respect of tigers and elephants are at Annexure-II. Cases of poaching and natural death of rhinos, national parks and sanctuary-wise are at Annexure-III. Reported cases of poaching and seizure of bears parts are insignificant.The data regarding death of birds is not collated and compiled at the level of Union Government. However, 388 deaths of peacocks and 12 deaths of saras have been reported from different parts of the country during the last three years.
(e) The responsibility of detection, investigations and prosecution of the offenders in poaching cases lies with the State Governments. A few important cases have been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation for investigation. The details of these cases and the action taken are as follows:
(i) Seizure of 3 nos. of tiger skins, 50 nos. of leopard skins and 5 nos. of otter skins at Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh border on 18.12.1999.The investigation has been completed and the complaint has been filed.
(ii) Seizure of 4 nos. of tiger skins, 70 nos. of leopard skins, 18000 nos. of leopard claws, 132 nos. of tiger claws and 221 nos. of black buck skins at Khaga on 12.1.2000. The investigation has been completed and the complaint has been filed.
(iii) Seizure of 50 nos. of leopard skins at Haldwani on 6.5.2000. The investigation is in progress.
(iv) Seizure of 30 nos. of leopard skins at Haldwani on 21.5.2000. The investigation is in progress.
(v) Central Bureau of Investigation seized 70 shawls in Delhi on 2.2.2001. Of these 26 are pure Shahtoosh shawls and 44 are suspected. Investigation in this regard is in progress.
(vi) Central Bureau of Investigation has seized 1 nos. of tiger skin, 5 nos. of tiger skulls, 10 nos. of tiger claws, 23 Kgs. of tiger bones, 3 nos. of tiger teeth and 4 nos. of leopard skins at Nagpur on 21.3.2001. Investigation in this regard is in progress.
(f) The steps taken by the Government for conservation and protection of animals and birds in sanctuaries and reserves are at Annexure-IV.
(g) There is no conclusive evidence of collusion of Government agencies in poaching during the recent past.
(h) Does not arise.
ANNEXURE-V
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART(f) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.135 FOR 23.7.2001 REGARDING DEATH OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS
Steps taken by the Government for conservation and protection of animals and birds in sanctuaries and reserves
(I) Steps taken at the State level:
i. Legal protection has been provided to wild animals against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
ii. State level and District level coordination committees have been set up in several States to prevent poaching and illegal trade in wildlife.
(II) Steps taken at National level
i. Government of India has set up Regional and Sub regional Offices for wildlife preservation in major export and trade centres of the country to prevent smuggling of wild animals and their products.
ii. Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has been empowered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders. Anti-poaching efforts are being coordinated with INTERPOL .
iii. Financial and technical help is being extended to the States under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz. Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Development of National parks and Sanctuaries and Eco development around Protected Areas for enhancing the capacity and infrastructure of the States for providing effective protection to wild animals. Financial Assistance is, in particular, being provided for raising `Strike Forces` and providing arms to the protection staff for combating the organised poachers. Assistance is also provided for giving rewards to the informers for eliciting information about poachers and smugglers.
iv. A Special Coordination and Enforcement Committee has been set up under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Environment and Forests, Government of India, for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife.
v. Export of wild animals and their derivatives is prohibited under EXIM policy.
vi. A National Conference of Forests and Environment Ministers of the State Governments was held on 29-30th January, 2001, wherein it was resolved to organise existing protecting staff into viable formations for effective control of poaching and to create enforcement infrastructure both within and outside the Protected Areas.
vii. Ministry of Home Affairs has written to all the State Government to lend a helping hand to the field formations to curb poaching and illegal trade in wildlife.
III Steps taken at International level
i. Government of India seeks international cooperation under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) for control of illegal trade in wildlife items.
ii. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nepal has been signed by India to establish a joint Task Force to check the trafficking across the borders.
iii. Indo-Chinese Protocol in tiger conservation Article of the protocol inter-alia stipulates joint measures to crackdown illegal activities of poaching of tigers, smuggling and selling the tiger bones and other parts of the tiger as well as its derivatives.
iv. A Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries has been created for addressing international issues related to Tiger Conservation.
