Question : Conservation of Endangered Species

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the increasing problems of conservation of endangered species in the country including leopards;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the total estimated number of leopards in the country, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether as per the data revealed by the Wildlife Protection Society of India, several leopards died in the country in the year 2018, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure the protection of all the wild animals including leopards; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)and (b) Conservation of endangered species in the country does pose certain challenges. With a view to overcome these challenges, Government has taken several measures including creation of Sanctuaries, National Parks, Conservation Reserve, Community Reserve, Tiger Reserve for conservation and protection of wildlife and its habitats. Management of wildlife and its habitats is the mandate of the concerned State/Union Territories Governments.

Except tiger and elephant, census of wild animals including leopards is carried out at the State-level by the respective States. Information on population of leopard in the States/Union Territories is not collated in the Ministry.

(c) Cases of death of wild animals including leopards have come to the notice of this Ministry. The management and protection of wildlife is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State/ Union Territory Governments. Information on death of wild animals including leopards in the States/Union Territories is not collated in the Ministry.

The death of animals including leopards is attributed to various factors like diseases, in-fighting, natural death, poaching etc.

(d)and(e) The measures taken by the Government for protection of wild animals including leopards are:

i. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for punishment for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
ii. Law enforcement authorities in the States maintain strict vigil against poaching of wild animals.
iii. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to gather intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles and to achieve inter-state and trans-boundary coordination in enforcement of wildlife laws.
iv. The State/Union Territory Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and intensify patrolling in and around Protected Areas.
v. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been created all over the country under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats.
vi. Financial assistance is provided to the State/Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’, for providing better protection to wildlife including leopards and improvement of habitat.

***