(a) whether the Government has any proposal to bring in stringent Anti-Poaching laws to ensure better conservation of wild life in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the manner in which the said effort is likely to help in ensuring better wild life conservation in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a)and (b) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for stringent punishment for hunting of wild animals. However, as the scope of protection has changed over the years since the Act has been enacted, a review of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is being undertaken in the Ministry, which would consider reviewing the penalties for committing wild life offences, to act as a deterrent.
(c) Stringent penal provisions for violation of forest/wildlife protection laws supported by capacity building for protection, detection and prosecution of offenders are helpful in ensuring better protection and enforcement.
****