Lok Sabha Question No. 17 (STARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Threatened/Endangered Species
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.* 17

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2015

## Threatened/Endangered species

## *17. SHRI  K. PARASURAMAN:

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

- (a) whether a large number of threatened species in the country are on the Red list published by the  International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any study or research to find out the reasons for many species being on the verge of extinction  and/ or critically endangered; and
- (d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the corrective steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a)

to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 17 REGARDING 'THREATENED/ENDANGERED SPECIES' BY SHRI  K. PARASURAMAN DUE FOR REPLY ON 21.7.2015

- (a) and (b) Yes, Sir.  As per the Red list version 2015.2 published by the International Union for Conservation  of  Nature  (IUCN),  96  species  of  mammals,  82  species  of  birds,  75 species of amphibians, 53 species of reptiles, 214 species of fish and 135 species of invertebrates  in  India  are  listed  as  'Critically  Endangered'  (Extremely  high  risk  of extinction), 'Endangered' (Very high risk of extinction) and 'Vulnerable' (High risk of extinction).

Decline in species diversity is a global phenomenon as habitats of wild animals and plants that are increasingly coming under human use. The country's biodiversity faces a variety of threats, from increasing pressure by land use changes in natural habitats, demand  of  natural resources, pollution, and proliferation of invasive species. Additionally,  climate  change  also  have  known    effect  on    coastal  and  marine ecosystems resulting in rise in sea level, warming of the sea surface temperatures and ocean  acidification  leading  to  significant  implications  on  the  coastal  and  marine populations  and  productivity.  Various  programmes  and  policies  of  the  government related to sustainable development take into account the need of conservation of our biological diversity and protection of threatened species.

- (c) and (d) Government supports a large number of research and training institutions which have comprehensive  research programmes  and  activities relating to conservation of biodiversity.  These  institutes  have  been  conducting  studies  to  find  out  reasons  for decline or threats to the biodiversity in the country. The  forest and  wildlife conservation  programmes  are  formulated  based  on  the  knowledge  obtained  from scientific studies.

The  Government  has  taken  the  following  steps  for  protection  and  conservation  of wild animals in the country:

- 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  and  their  habitats.  Special  programmes  like 'Project Tiger' and 'Project Elephant' were launched for conservation of these endangered species  and their habitats.
- ii. A  specific    component  of  'Recovery  programmes  for  saving  critically endangered  species  and  habitats'  is  provided  in  the  Centrally  Sponsored Scheme  of 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats' for focused conservation action on selected critically endangered species.
- iii. Legal  protection  has  been  provided  to  wild  animals  including  rhinoceros against hunting and commercial exploitation under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- iv. 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).
- v. Financial  and  technical  assistance  is  provided  to  the  State/  Union  Territory Governments  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  for  providing  better protection  to  wildlife  including  endangered  species    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 co-ordination 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. Strict vigil is maintained by the officials of State Departments of Forests and Wildlife.

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