Lok Sabha Question No. 3429 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-13
Subject: Endangered Species of Birds and Animals
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill, S. Jagathrakshakan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3429

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2020

## Endangered Species of Birds and Animals

## 3429.  SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL: SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has listed out the endangering species of animals and birds in our country in order to take measures to prevent them from extinction;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of endangered animal and birds species along with their numbers and natural habitats in the country; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to save such endangered species?

## ANSWER

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

- (a), (b) and (c) The  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  provides  for  listing  of  species  in various schedules based on the threat status. The species listed in Schedule I of the Act is provided with highest degree of protection. Species like Tiger, Asiatic  Lion,  One  horned  rhinoceros,  Elephant,  Great  Indian  Bustard, Gangetic Dolphin, etc are listed in Schedule-I of the Act.

The  last  population  estimation  of  flagship  species  like  Tiger,  Elephant, Asiatic Lion and Rhinoceros is as given below:

Tiger: 2967 nos.

One-horned rhinoceros: 2973 nos.

Elephant: 29964 nos.

Asiatic Lion: 523 nos.

There  are  870  Protected  Areas  (National  Parks,  Wildlife  Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves).

- (d) The following important steps have been taken by the Government to save endangered species:
- i. Protected Areas, viz., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves covering important wildlife habitats have been notified  all  over  the  country  under  the  provisions  of  the  Wild  Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to conserve wild animals and their habitats.
- ii. In  order  to  further  strengthen  conservation  of  wildlife,  Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are also notified around National Parks and Sanctuaries under provisions of the Environment  (Protection) Act, 1986.
- iii. The Ministry extends financial assistance to State Government/Union Territory Administration under various Centrally Sponsored schemes(CSS) of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (DWH), for providing better protection to wildlife including endangered species of animals/birds and improvement of their habitat.
- iv. The  Central  Zoo  Authority  (CZA)  provides  financial  assistance  for carrying  forward  the  ex-situ  Conservation  Breeding  Programme  of various species at identified zoos.
- v. 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).
- vi. Local  communities  in  and  around  protected  areas  are  also  involved conservation  measures  for  which  incentive  measures  are  provided under approved eco-development activities.

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