Amid alarms raised over dwindling wildlife population, the Centre has decided to set up a multidisciplinary bureau to combat illegal animal trade in the country.
A meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave its approval for the constitution of a "Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau" (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau).
The bureau will work for conservation of the natural heritage by establishing a credible data base on wildlife items and trade and help prosecute criminals and their accomplices at national and international levels, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told the media on Thursday.
Headquartered at Delhi, the bureau will facilitate training to the field staff in intelligence gathering, crime detection and prosecution.
It will strengthen the ongoing efforts for control of poaching and illegal trade besides addressing the growing concern over wildlife crime. The Cabinet has also approved creation of a new post of Additional Director in the rank of Inspector General of Police.
The five existing sensitive border customs posts will be strengthened for overseeing works relating to trafficking of wildlife, their body parts and derivatives, Chidambaram said.
The Government has also decided to withdraw a Bill dealing with establishment and incorporation of self financing universities and regulation of their functioning.
The Cabinet gave its approval to the proposal of the HRD Ministry to withdraw the Private Universities Bill 1995 from the Rajya Sabha.
