Lok Sabha Question No. 1131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Mass Extinction of Indian Species
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1131

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.09.2020.

## Mass Extinction of Indian Species

## 1131.   SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  more  than  30,000  species  are  threatened  with extinction process and out of these 25 percent are assessed to be mammals;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  report  of  mass  extinction  of  Indian  wildlife  species during the last 50 years;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  action  taken  by  Government  thereon  and  the  proposals  of  wildlife  organizations, others to safe guard on rare species?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) to (d) There is no report in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change indicating  that  more  than  30,000  species  are  threatened  with  extinction  in India. Further, there is no report in the Ministry of mass extinction in India in last 50 years. However, since Independence some animal species like Cheetah, Pink Headed Duck, and Himalayan Quail have been reported extinct in India.
- (e) The important steps taken by the  Government  to  safe guard rare and endangered species include:
- i. 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. The extent of the protected areas in the country is increasing and stand at 5.02% of the geographic area of the country.
- ii. Many species like tiger, elephants, rhino etc. have been saved from the brink of extinction and are thriving in the country.
- iii. Eco-sensitive Zones around most of the national parks and sanctuaries have  been  notified  providing  more  area  as  buffer  for  the  safety  and
- conservation of the endangered species.
- iv. Financial assistance is provided to the State/Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and Project Elephant, for providing better  protection  to  wildlife  including  rare  species  of  animals  and improvement of their habitat.
- v. A  specific  component  of  'Recovery  Programmefor  Saving  Critically Endangered Species and Habitats' is provided in the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of 'Development of Wildlife Habitats' for focused conservation  action  on  21  identified  critically  endangered  species, including  Arabian  Sea  Humpback  Whale,  Gangetic  dolphins,  Snow leopard,  Hangul,  Sangai  deer,  Marine  turtle,  Bustards,  vultures,  etc. Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs for recovery programme of the critically endangered species of birds and animals.
- vi. Rare and endangered species found in India, like Tiger, Snow Leopard, Great Indian Bustard, Gangetic Dolphin, Dugong, etc. have been listed in Schedule-I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby providing them highest degree of protection.
- vii. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for stringent 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).
- viii. The local communities are involved in conservation measures through eco-development activities who help the forest department in protection of wildlife.
- ix. Wildlife  Crime  Control  Bureau  coordinates  with  State/UTs  and  other enforcement agencies to gather intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles.

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