Lok Sabha Question No. 1431 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-08
Subject: Arrest of Poachers
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1431

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2015

## Arrest of Poachers

## 1431.  DR. KIRIT P.SOLANKI:

Will the Minster of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether international poaching syndicate members were arrested in Delhi by STF(MP) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  quantum  of  hides,  skulls,  bones  and  nails  seized  from  the  arrested poachers, species- wise;
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  stop  this  kind  of  illegal  activity, especially from reserved animal sanctuary; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  arrested  any  forest  official  involved  in  this regard  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  during  the  last  three  years  and  the current year, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) and (b) The  Forest  Department  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  arrested  one  international poaching syndicate member, viz, Mr. Jaiy Tamag alias , Pasang Lima, s/o Konchak Tamang, currently residing at H-19, New Aruna Nagar, Majnu ka  tila ,  New  Delhi  with  native  place  at  Tibet.  However,  no  article  was seized  from  the  arrested  person  as  he  is  reported  to  be  a  mediator  of poachers and traders.
- ( c ) The  following  are  the  important  steps  taken  by    the  Government  for prevention of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife in the country:
- i. Forest and wildlife protection is  organized by the States through the State Forest Departments.
- ii. Legal  protection  has  been  provided  to  wild  animals  against hunting  and  commercial  exploitation  under  the  provisions  of  the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- iii. In addition to provision of stringent punishment for the offenders, the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 also provides for forfeiture of any  equipment,  vehicle  or  weapon  that  is  used  for  committing wildlife offence(s).
- iv. 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.
- v. Financial and technical 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 providing better protection to wildlife, and improvement of its habitat.
- vi. The Central  Bureau  of  Investigation  (CBI)  has  been  empowered under  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  to  apprehend  and prosecute wildlife offenders.
- vii. 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.
- viii. State  Tiger  Strike  Force  and  its  five  regional  units  have  been created by the State of Madhya Pradesh for prompt investigation and prosecution of offenders in the wildlife cases.
- ix. Strict vigil is maintained by the officials of State Departments of Forests and Wildlife along with providing training and software in modern techniques including CDR analysis to improve protection.
- (d) No,  Sir.  No  forest  official  has  been  arrested  in  this  regard.  State-wise details  of  forest  officials  arrested  in  such  cases  are  not  compiled  at  the level of the Ministry.

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