Lok Sabha Question No. 219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Protection and Conservation of Endangered Species
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 219

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## Protection and Conservation of Endangered Species

## 219.  DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:

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

- (a) whether several mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and corals are threatened/critically endangered in the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the  Government  has  any  plans  for  the  protection  and  conservation  of  the threatened/critically endangered species, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether monitor lizards found in Maharashtra are considered vulnerable/threatened or endangered, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  monitor  lizards  are  protected  under  the  Indian  Wildlife  (Protection)  Act, 1972 or any other such legislation, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposals  or  request  from  the  State Government of Maharashtra or any Member of Parliament for the same during the last ten years and the current year; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) and (b)  The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides protection to wild animals from hunting. Rare and endangered species of wild animals are listed in Schedule I of the Act, thereby according them  highest  degree  of  protection.  The  important  steps  taken  for  protection  and  conservation  of species include:

- (i) Special programmes like 'Project Tiger', 'Project Elephant' 'Project Lion', 'Project Snow Leopard', Project Dolphin, 'Project Cheetah', 'Project Great Indian Bustard', have been undertaken for their conservation.
- (ii) Financial assistance is provided to State  Governments /UT Administrations for management of wildlife and  development  of its habitat  under  the  Centrally  sponsored schemes 'Development of Wildlife Habitats'and 'Project Tiger & Elephant'.
- (iii) A specific component of 'Recovery programme for saving critically endangered species and habitats' is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Development of Wildlife Habitats' for focused conservation action on identified 24 critically endangered species.
- (iv) Eco Development activities are undertaken by the States Governments /UT administrations involving local communities in wildlife conservation.
- (v) Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZ) are notified around National Parks and Sanctuaries under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- (vi) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to ensure co-ordination among various agencies and State Governments to combat organized wildlife crime.
- (vii) Advisories and alerts are issued to State and Central agencies by the Wild Life Crime Control Bureau for preventive action on poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
- (viii) Technology  like  Camera  traps,  drones,  wireless,  e-survellience,  etc.    are  used  for monitoring of wild animals, detecting  illegal intrusions ,early warning system in relaying information to quick reaction teams in the field for managing human wildlife conflict.

(c)  to  (f)  Four  species  of  Monitor  Lizard,  viz.,  Bengal  Monitor  ( Varanus  bengalensis ),  Desert Monitor  ( Varanus  griseus ),  Water  Monitor  ( Varanus  salvator )  and  Yellow  Monitor  ( Varanus flavescens ) have been listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

The Ministry receives requests/memoranda from the States/UTs, including people's representatives, from time to time. Such requests/memoranda are examined in the Ministry as per extant policies, Acts, rules, regulations, guidelines etc.

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