MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a)&(b) As per the information available in the Ministry, the population of the lions, tigers,
elephants and rhinos estimated in the last census operation undertaken in respect of such
species are as follows:
Species Population estimate as The last censusoperation per the last census undertaken during the year
Lion 411 2010
Tiger 1706 2010
Elephant 27694 2007-08
Rhinoceros 2414 2009
(c),(d)&(e) The details of mortality of lion, tiger, elephant and rhino during the last three
years and the current year, as per the information available in the Ministry, is given in the
Annexure. The Government has taken following steps for protection of wild animals in the
country:
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. 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).
iii.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.
iv. Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/ Union Territory Governments
under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats`,
‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection to wildlife, and
improvement of its habitat.
v. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild
Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
vi. The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to strengthen the field
formations and intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.
vii. 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.
viii. Strict vigil is maintained by the officials of State Departments of Forests and Wildlife.
