Lok Sabha Question No. 1494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-26
Subject: Conservation of Wild Animals
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PARVATAGOUDA CHANDANAGOUDA GADDIGOUDAR

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1494

TO BE ANSWERED ON  26.07.2016

## Conservation of Wild Animals

## 1494.  SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR:

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

- (a) whether the international wildlife agencies have provided financial assistance for conservation and protection of wild animals like Tigers, Lions, Elephants in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to enact stringent laws to stop poaching in the country; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this direction?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) and (b) Government  of  India does not receive any financial assistance for conservation  and  protection  of  wild  animals  like  Tigers,  Lions,  and Elephants from any international wildlife agencies.
- (c) and (d) A stringent law, Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972 is in force to empower the State Forest Department to combat poaching and other wildlife related crimes. Steps taken by the Governments in this regard  are  as follows:
- i. A  total  of  732  Protected  Areas,  viz.,  National  Parks,  Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves have been created under  the  provisions  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  to provide higher protection to wild fauna and flora covering important wildlife habitats.
- ii. Legal protection has been provided to wild animals against hunting and commercial exploitation through the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- iii. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides stringent punishment for offences under the Act. The section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for imprisonment of 3 to 7 years and also fine for offence committed in relation to any animal specified in schedule I or part II of schedule II of the act. The offences in respect of other animals are punishable with imprisonment up to 3 years or
- with fine or both.  Offence relating to core area of a tiger reserve or hunting  in  tiger  reserve  or  altering  boundaries  of  tiger  reserve  is punishable with imprisonment for a term of 3-7 years and also a fine of Rs. 50,000 to 2.00 lakh. In the event of a second or subsequent conviction    with  imprisonment  for  a  term  of  not  less  than  seven years and also with a fine of 5 to 50 lakh rupees.
- iv. The Act also provides for forfeiture of equipment, vehicle or weapon used in committing wildlife offence(s).
- v. State  Governments  with  full  fledged  forest  departments  and  forest protection  staff  are  involved  in  the  protection  and  conservation  of wildlife.
- vi. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to ensure  coordination among  various officers and State Governments in connection with the enforcement of law for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
- vii. Financial assistance is provided  to the State/  Union  Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Integrated Development  of  Wildlife  Habitats'  ,  'Project  Tiger'  and  'Project Elephant'  for  improvement  of  forest  and  wildlife  areas  like  the national  parks  and  sanctuaries  to  provide  improved  habitats  to animals and also for undertaking protection measures.
- viii. Information  technology  for  improved  surveillance  (e-Eye  system) using thermal cameras has been launched in Corbett, Ratapani and Kaziranga  Tiger Reserves for protection of tigers and other species.

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