(a) whether the Government have dissolved a high powered committee which had been set up last year to suggest ways to preserve and promote healthy wildlife in the country;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the steps taken to protect the wildlife have been found to be inadequate and proved ineffective;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to formulate plans to protect the wildlife in the country?
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R. BAALU)
(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a),(b),(c),(d)&(e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 575 FOR REPLY ON 6.5.2002 REGARDING PROTECTION TO WILD LIFE
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Does not arise.
(c),(d)&(e) Large number of vacancies at the field level, inadequate mobility, paucity of modern fire arms, lack of expertise in the field of intelligence gathering, investigation and prosecution have been found to be the main impediments in effective protection of wild life particularly, tiger, leopard, elephant and rhino. The products of these animals have considerable demand in the clandestine international markets. Prime Minister has written to the Chief Ministers to address the aforesaid problems on priority. Further, Wild Life Conservation Strategy, 2002 has been adopted during the said meeting of Indian Board for Wildlife. The salient features of the strategy are annexed. The State Governments have been requested to implement the strategy effectively.
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (c)(d)&(e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 575 FOR REPLY ON 6.5.2002 REGARDING PROTECTION TO WILD LIFE
The salient features of the Wildlife Conservation Strategy-2002 adopted by the Indian Board for Wildlife are -
1. Wildlife and forests shall be declared priority sector at the national level for which funds should be earmarked.
2. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that those engaged in poaching, illicit trade in wildlife and wild life products, destruction of their habitat, and such other illegal activities are given quick and deterrent punishment.
3. The potential in wildlife tourism should be fully tapped, taking care that it does not have adverse impact in wildlife and protected areas. The revenue earned from increased tourism should be used entirely to augment available resources for conservation.
4. No diversion of forest land for non forestry purposes from critical and ecologically fragile wildlife habitat shall be allowed.
5. Lands falling within 10 km. of the boundaries of National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as Eco-fragile zones under section 3
(v) of the Environment (Protection) Act and Rule 5 Sub-rule 5
(viii) & (x) of the Environment (Protection) Rules.
6. Removal of encroachments and illegal activities from within forestlands and Protected Areas.
7. The settlement of rights in National Parks and Sanctuaries should not be used to exclude or reduce the areas that are crucial and integral part of the wildlife habitat.
8. More than 2000 vacant posts in the frontline staff of Protected Areas shall be filled immediately and provided basic infrastructure for efficient discharge of duties. Ban on recruitment of staff against vacant post should be lifted on lines with the Police Department.