(a) whether the Government has any proposal for maintenance of records regarding encroachment
on National parks in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government for formulating strategy against the encroachment on
National Parks without maintaining the records?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a), (b) &(c) Management of Protected Areas including prevention of encroachment in Protected
Areas is the responsibility of the concerned State/UT Governments. The details of encroachment
in Protected Areas are not compiled at the level of Central Government.
(d) Encroachments in Protected Areas are punishable under the provisions of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and under the orders of Hon’ble Supreme
Court issued from time to time. Moreover, under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes ‘Integrated
Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’, the Government of
India provides technical and financial assistance to the State Governments for undertaking
various activities in Protected Areas including those aimed at protection, boundary
consolidation and prevention of encroachments.