Lok Sabha Question No. 880 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Protection of Rhinoceros
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RAMESWAR TELI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.880

TO BE ANSWERED ON  01.03.2016

## Protection of Rhinoceros

## 880. SHRI RAMESWAR TELI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating any comprehensive plan for conservation and protection of rare Indian one horn rhinoceros as well as other species of rhinoceros in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  steps/measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  the  rampant  poaching  of  these endangered animals in various National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  made  any  effort  to  seek  global  support  to  stop  the clandestine international black market of rhino horn; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI   PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a)&(b) Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros is one of the seventeen species identified for Recovery programme for critically endangered species, a component under the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Integrated  Development  of  Wildlife Habitats.  Under  this  scheme  Central  assistance  is  provided  for  the  recovery and protection of the species.

Most of the habitats of Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros have been covered under  Project  Tiger.  These  include  Kaziranga  Tiger  Reserve,  Manas  Tigere Reserve,  Dudhwa  Tiger  Reserve.  Jaldapara  Wildlife  Sanctuary  of  West Bengal; Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam are also dedicated for conservation of Great Indian one horned rhinoceros.

- (c) The  Government  has  taken  following  steps    to  prevent  poaching    of    wild

animals including  Rhinoceros in the country:

- i. 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.
- ii. 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).
- iii. 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.
- iv. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Act,  1972  to  apprehend  and  prosecute wildlife offenders.
- v. The State/Union Territory Governments  have  been requested to intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.
- vi. Strict  vigil  is  maintained  by  the  officials  of  State  Departments  of Forests and Wildlife.
7. (d)&(e) India is a party to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild  fauna  and  flora  (CITES)  which  regulates  the  international  trade  in specimens of wild animals and plants including Rhinos so it does not threaten their survival. This Ministry has also appointed Additional Director, Wildlife Crime  Control  Bureau    as  focal  point  for  CITES  Task  Force  for  dealing matters  related to illegal trade  of rhino  horns in India.

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