Lok Sabha Question No. 102 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-22
Subject: Conservation of Endangered Species
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE, BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *102

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.12.2017

## Conservation of Endangered Species

## *102.   SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE:

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether many species are on the verge of extinction/critically endangered in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has published a Red list in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to improve protection and conservation of such species and if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government for protection and conservation of such species along with the achievements thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

***

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *102 REGARDING 'CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES' BY SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE AND SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB DUE FOR REPLY ON 22.12.2017.

- (a) Some  species  like the Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Vultures, Gangetic Dolphin, Dugongs, Tiger, Asiatic Lion, etc. are critically endangered/endangered.
- (b) As per the Red List version 2017-3 published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 94 species of mammals, 89 species of birds, 54 species of reptiles, 75 species of amphibians, 228 species of fish and 135 species of invertebrates in India are listed as 'Critically Endangered' (Extremely high risk of extinction), 'Endangered' (Very high risk of extinction) and 'Vulnerable' (High risk of extinction).
- (c) and (d) Government of India with the assistance of Wildlife Institute of India and the State  Governments  of  Rajasthan,  Gujarat,  Maharashtra,  Tamil  Nadu,  Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Manipur and Andaman & Nicobar Islands have initiated  programme for recovery of Great Indian Bustard, Gangetic Dolphin, Dugong  and  Brow  Antler  Deer.  Government  of  India  has  also  initiated recovery  programme  with  Bombay  Natural  History  Society  for  Vultures  as well.  Scientific  studies,  as  part  of  the  'Recovery  programme  for  saving critically  endangered  species  and  habitat',  focus  on  conservation  action  and protection of selected critically endangered /endangered species. The important outcome of this programme include:
- a. Permission  to  install  satellite  tags  in  6  Great  Indian  Bustards  have  been accorded thereby enabling monitoring and tracking its location.
- b. Conservation breeding site for Great Indian Bustard identified in 'Sorsan' near Kota, Rajasthan enabling captive breeding of the species.
- c. The incidentally captured three dugongs (sea cow) have been successfully released  back  to  sea  by  the  Tamil  Nadu  fishermen.  This  was  due  to awareness programs conducted jointly by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department  and  the  Wildlife  Institute  of  India  under  the  programme  for conservation of Dugongs.
- d. The drug 'Diclofenac' has been banned for veterinary use thereby reducing the mortality of Vultures.

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  Government  has  also  initiated  programmatic approach for protection of flagship species like Tiger, Elephant, Rhino, Snow Leopard, etc. These programmes help in protection of the flagship species and their habitats. There has also been enhancement of Protected Areas (National Parks,  Sanctuaries,  Conservation  Reserves  and  Community  Reserves)  from 578 in the year 2000 to 764 in the year 2017, providing protection to wildlife and their habitats.

Besides,  legal  protection  have  also  been  accorded  against  hunting  of  wild animals  and  commercial  exploitation  under  the  provisions  of  Wild  Life (Protection)  Act,  1972.  The  Government  has  also  initiated  Rhino  DNA indexing  System  (RhODIS)  for  identification  of  Rhinos  for  assessment  and control of illegal trade in Rhino horns.

The concerted action by the Government have also resulted in enhancement of population of major flagship species like Tiger, Elephant, Rhino, Asiatic Lion, etc.