Question : Poaching of Wild Animals

(a) the number of lions killed by poachers in Gir forest of Gujarat during the last two years;
(b) whether an Inter-State racket of poaching of wildanimals in Gir forest was busted by the State Governmentof Gujarat recently and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said poaching racket was operatingfrom other States and involved residents of the WildlifeSanctuary, for poaching of lions in Gujarat and if so, thedetails thereof;
(d) whether the Government is aware that suchrackets are also involved in poaching of wild animals inother States, if so, the reaction of the Governmentthereto; and
(e) whether the Government is considering toconduct any high level inquiry in this regard and if so,the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) Asinformed by the State Government of Gujarat, no lion has been killed by poachers in Gir forest of Gujarat during the last two years.

(b) As informed by the State Government of Gujarat, no inter-State racket of poaching of wild animals in Gir forest has been busted recently by the State Government of Gujarat.

(c) Does not arise

(d) As per information received from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, a number of cases related to various wildlife species under the Wild Life (Protection), Act, 1972 have been busted by the Bureau.The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has taken measures as per its mandate to prevent illegal trafficking/ poaching of wild animals which include:
i. Conducting joint operations with the state enforcement agencies.
ii. Conducting capacity building program for forest and police officials on investigation of wildlife cases.
iii. Conducting sensitization program of representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, students etc.

(e) Does not arise.

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