(a) the number of pangolin species in the country since 2012, year and State-wise;
(b) whether the Government is aware that the pangolin is the most hunted and traded animal in India and in the world;
(c) if so, the number of pangolin species killed during the said period along with the steps taken by the Government to protect the animal from extinction in the country; and
(d) the achievements made as a result of the said efforts?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIORNMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) Of the eight-extant species of pangolin in the world, only two species are found in India viz., Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata and Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla. No systematic survey has been undertaken on the species wise population and distribution in the country. Hence year wise data are not available.
(b)&(c) As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Pangolin species has been historically exploited, locally and for international trade.Details of killing of pangolin are not maintained at the level of Central Government. Steps taken by the Government of India to check poaching and trading of Pangolin Scales from within the country, inter alia, include bringing all species of Pangolins being brought under Appendix I of CITES, sensitization of border guarding forces, customs and Central Industrial Security Force(CISF) officials at exit points, issuing alerts and advisories on poaching and illegal trade of wildlife to the concerned State and Central agencies and joint operations with State enforcement agencies to apprehend criminals involved in poaching and trading of pangolin. Apart from this considering the increase in the illegal trade of Pangolin scales in India, DNA barcoding work has been initiated at Wildlife Institute of India (WII). WII has provided support to the law enforcement agencies in dealing with wildlife offences by identifying parts and products of pangolin.
(d) A network of poaching and illegal trade in pangolin scales was busted by Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force with the help and coordination of Wild Life Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) resulted in the arrest of 126 criminals from 10 states. WCCB also issued. Alert on 21.01.2014 regarding illegal trade in pangolin scales, to sensitize the enforcement agencies about the species, modus operandiadopted by criminals for hunting and trade, trade routes and destinations. As a result of this a large number of seizures of pangolin scales have been effected throughout the country by various enforcement agencies.
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