(a) whether the Government has any comprehensive plan for conservation and protection of rare Indian one horn rhinoceros in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken any step to prevent the rampant poaching of these endangered animals;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has made any effort to seek global support to close the clandestine international black market of rhino horn and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros is one of the seventeen species identified for Recovery programme for critically endangered species, a component under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats. Under this scheme Central assistance is provided for the recovery and protection of the species.
Most of the habitats of Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros have been covered under Project Tiger. These include Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Manas Tiger Reserve, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary of West Bengal; Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam are also dedicated for conservation areas of Great Indian one horned rhinoceros.
(b)&(c) The Government has taken following steps to prevent poaching of wild animals including Rhinoceros in the country:
i. Legal protection has been provided to wild animals including rhinoceros 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. Financial and technical assistance is provided to the State/ Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes for providing better protection to wildlife including endangered species like Rhinoceros and improvement of its habitat.
iv. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
v. The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.
vi. Strict vigil is maintained by the officials of State Departments of Forests and Wildlife.
(d) India is a party to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) which regulates the international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants including Rhinos so it does not threaten their survival. India has adopted the statute of South Asian Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) set up to control illegal wildlife trade in South Asia for strengthening the network for controlling illegal trade of wildlife articles. This Ministry has also appointed Additional Director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau as focal point for CITES Task Force for dealing matters related to illegal trade of rhino horns in India.
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