The Minister of State (I/C) for Environment and
Forests Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan listed the steps taken by
Government to check the extinction of wildlife in the country as follows
in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question.
The Government has taken the following steps to check the extinction of wild life in the country:
i) A network of 668 Protected Areas, viz., National Parks,
Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves has been
created in the country under the provisions of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972 to provide for in situ conservation of wildlife
and its habitats.
ii) A network of Zoos has been created in the country, which
are financially supported and statutorily regulated by the Central Zoo
Authority, to ensure ex situ conservation of important species of wild
animals, including undertaking conservation breeding programmes for such
species.
iii) The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of `Integrated Development
of Wildlife Habitats` includes the component `Recovery Programmes for
Saving Critically Endangered Species and Habitats` to provide for
special measures to support such species. Presently, 16 species have
been identified for support under this component which include Snow
Leopard, Bustards (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr,
Marine Turtles, Dugongs and coral reefs, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian
Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures,
Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s
Courser.
iv) Legal protection has been provided to endangered species of
wild animals and plants against hunting and commercial exploitation
under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
v) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, has been amended and
made more stringent. The punishments in cases of offences have been
enhanced. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle
or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence.
vi) Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State
Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz.,
‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats`, ‘Project Tiger’ and
‘Project Elephant’ for providing better protection and conservation to
wildlife.
vii) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered
under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute
wildlife offenders.
viii) The State Governments have been requested to strengthen the
field formations and intensify patrolling in and around the Protected
Areas.
ix) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up for
control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
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