Lok Sabha Question No. 890 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-23
Subject: Protection of Wildlife Species
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 890

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2021

## Protection of Wildlife Species

## 890. DR. SHASHI THAROOR :

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

- (a) whether COVID-19 pandemic-induced restrictions have had economic and ecological impact on centres of wildlife preservation and if so, details thereof, sanctuary-wise and national park-wise;
- (b) whether directions have been given for welfare of animals that have remained tied up with limited food and water during the pandemic, if so, details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  incidents  of  poaching  have  doubled  during  the  lockdown  period  in  the country and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether wildlife trafficking is one of the major factors responsible for extinction of several endangered species in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) if not, the alternate factors responsible for the extinction of endangered species; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to protect wildlife species against illegal wildlife trade, State/UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) Due  to  COVID-19  pandemic,  the  National  Parks  and  Sanctuaries  were closed  for  tourism  from  time  to  time  in  pursuance  of  directions  of Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  to  contain  the  spread  of  the  virus  infection. Sanctuary-wise  and  National  Park-wise  assessment  on  economic  and ecological impact has not been carried out by the Ministry.
- (b) The  Ministry  had  issued  directions  to  the  States/UTs  for  managing National  Parks  and  Sanctuaries  while  following  due  COVID  protocols. Further, the Central Zoo Authority has issued directives to the States/UTs requesting  for  specifying  food  and  drinking  water  supply  upkeep  and healthcare of captive animals housed in zoos, under the essential services and exempt them from the restrictions under extant legal provisions.
- (c) As per the data of three years with respect to wildlife cases analyzed by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, there is no indication of doubling of poaching incidents during lockdown.
- (d) and (e) Wildlife  trafficking  is  only  one  of  the  factors  responsible  for  loss  of certain wildlife species.  Habitat loss, climate change, natural reasons like infighting,  diseases,  etc.  are  other  factors  resulting  in  loss  of  wildlife species.
- (f) The important steps taken by the Government to protect wildlife species against illegal wildlife trade 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,  birds  and  their habitats.

(ii)      Financial  assistance  is  provided  to  the  State/Union  Territory Governments  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats', which inter-alia, includes Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and Project Elephant, for providing better protection to wildlife including birds and improvement of habitat.

(iii) A specific component of 'Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered  species  and  habitats'  is  provided  in  the  on-going  Centrally Sponsored  Scheme  of  'Development  of  Wildlife  Habitats'  for  focused conservation action on 22 identified critically endangered species including Humpback whale, Snow leopard, Hangul, Sangai deer, Marine turtle, Bustards,  Red Panda, Nicobar megapode,  Jerdon's Courser, Caracal  and  vultures.  Financial  assistance  is  provided  to  States/UT Governments for recovery programme of the critically endangered species of birds and animals.

(iv)  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).

(v)   Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has been created for control of wildlife crimes.

(vi)    The  law  enforcement  agencies  like  Border  Security  Force,  Central Industrial Security Force, etc have been trained by the WCCB who assist in control of wildlife crime.

(vii)   India is a Party to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), South Asian Wildlife Enforcement  Network  (SAWEN)  and  coordinates  with  international agencies in control of wildlife crime.

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