Charges framed against Salman in black buck poaching case

Times of India , Monday, June 19, 2006
Correspondent : Staff Reporter
JODHPUR: In fresh trouble for Bollywood star Salman Khan, already convicted and sentenced to jail terms in two poaching cases, a local court on Monday framed charges against him for allegedly hunting a Black Buck in Kankani village in October 1998.

Charges were also framed against actors Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Tabu and Sonali Bendre for abetting him in the alleged crime under the Wildlife Act.

All the accused were present in the court of District Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges following which the Magistrate fixed July three for commencement of trial.

While Salman, 40, has been charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife Act (hunting), others have been charged under Section 52 of the Act (abettment).

Salman had earlier filed a revision petition in the case and an Additional District and Sessions judge had directed for reframing of the charges.

Hearing in Salman's appeals against his conviction in two other cases, for killing a Chinkara in Bhavad and Black Buck in Ghoda farms, have been deferred to August 21 by District and Sessions Judge GS Surana.

While the Bollywood star had been sentenced to one year imprisonment in the Chinkara poaching case, he was awarded a five-year term in the Ghoda Farm Black Buck hunting case

Wildlife board to consider changes in conservation laws

The Pioneer, Monday, June 19, 2006

Pioneer News Service | New Delhi

Even as wildlife lovers await the tiger census, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to chair the third meeting of the National Board for Wildlife on Monday. The Board is likely to take up the issue of legal powers to the Army to patrol the borders for wildlife trade, an ecological task force battalion for sanctuaries and State boards for wildlife. It will also consider taking up the recommendations of the tiger task force, setting up of the National Wildlife Crime Bureau, conservation of important wetlands, and focus on the breeding of red jungle fowl and Asiatic lions is on the agenda.

Concerned that India's porous borders along the Himalayas may be conducive for illicit skin trade, the Board is likely is recommended that field commanders of the Army deployed for counter insurgency operations in North East and Jammu and Kashmir be vested with legal powers as provided to chief wildlife wardens. Wildlife activists have alleged that the skins and bones of tigers and leopards are traded through Tibet. Field commanders will be able to assist the concerned forest authorities in curbing this wildlife trade

To overcome the shortage of field-level staff for surveillance and protection, a proposal has been mooted to deploy retired soldiers of the Army. They retire between 35-40 years of age and are well trained, disciplined and with considerable experience of operating in jungles, and are perceived to be best suited for an ecological task force (ETF).

Efforts will also be made to improve responses of the State Board of Wild Life (SBWL) towards the role of the Armed Forces. Ecological sensitive zones around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries will be made site specific and would relate to regulation and the prohibition of specific activities.

Two meetings have taken place regarding the revision of species listed in Schedules of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Other items to be discussed are guidelines for permission for scientific research in protected areas, and rationalization of boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries. Specific suggestions made by the States for changes of boundaries of sanctuaries and national parks will be considered. Creation of a separate department of forests and wildlife are the other subjects to be taken up.

 
SOURCE : Times of India, Monday, June 19, 2006
 


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